Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has of the adequacy of waiting times for ADI driving tests (a) in Ashfield and (b) nationwide.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

One of the biggest contributing factors to the high waiting times for approved driving instructor (ADI) practical tests is a considerable increase over recent years in the number of people applying to become an ADI. In May 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) received over 1,700 applications from people wanting to start the process of becoming a driving instructor.  Demand for ADI tests is further exacerbated by the falling pass rate for the ADI part 3 test, which has fallen from 34.2% in 2023-24 to 27.8% in 2025-26, resulting in more candidates having to retake their test.

DVSA has and continues to recruit additional ADI examiners and has increased its capacity to train new examiners. ADI examiners cover several test centre locations and DVSA deploys them according to demand. To identify areas with higher demand, applicants can place ADI practical tests on hold and nominate their preferred test centre location and date. This helps DVSA deploy examiners where they are most needed. Where appropriate, priority is given to those nearing the end of their two-year qualification period. There are currently 66 potential driving instructors awaiting a test at Ashfield driving test centre.

It is vital that at the beginning of the learning process that PDIs and their trainers plan and structure their training according to the individual’s level of ability and current commitments to allow sufficient time for each of the three qualifying elements. This will also help to set realistic expectations about how much time and money the qualifying process takes and the likelihood of achieving full qualification.

DVSA is currently working through an end-to-end review of the ADI qualification journey and intends to improve the clarity and efficiency of the process while maintaining statutory standards.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve waiting times for ADI driving tests (a) in Ashfield and (b) nationwide.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

One of the biggest contributing factors to the high waiting times for approved driving instructor (ADI) practical tests is a considerable increase over recent years in the number of people applying to become an ADI. In May 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) received over 1,700 applications from people wanting to start the process of becoming a driving instructor.  Demand for ADI tests is further exacerbated by the falling pass rate for the ADI part 3 test, which has fallen from 34.2% in 2023-24 to 27.8% in 2025-26, resulting in more candidates having to retake their test.

DVSA has and continues to recruit additional ADI examiners and has increased its capacity to train new examiners. ADI examiners cover several test centre locations and DVSA deploys them according to demand. To identify areas with higher demand, applicants can place ADI practical tests on hold and nominate their preferred test centre location and date. This helps DVSA deploy examiners where they are most needed. Where appropriate, priority is given to those nearing the end of their two-year qualification period. There are currently 66 potential driving instructors awaiting a test at Ashfield driving test centre.

It is vital that at the beginning of the learning process that PDIs and their trainers plan and structure their training according to the individual’s level of ability and current commitments to allow sufficient time for each of the three qualifying elements. This will also help to set realistic expectations about how much time and money the qualifying process takes and the likelihood of achieving full qualification.

DVSA is currently working through an end-to-end review of the ADI qualification journey and intends to improve the clarity and efficiency of the process while maintaining statutory standards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce NHS waiting times for elective procedures.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the Plan for Change, we are committed to returning by March 2029 to the National Health Service constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment, ensuring patients get timely access to the procedures they need.

We promised change, and we’ve delivered, with a reduction in the waiting list of over 290,000 since the Government came into office, despite over 44.7 million referrals onto the list in that period.

This progress has been made through setting ambitious targets, investing in modernisation, reforming and simplifying pathways, increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity, and empowering patients with faster and more convenient access to care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve (a) mental and (b) emotional support for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises that a cancer diagnosis can have a significant emotional and mental impact not only on patients but also on their children and wider families.

Children whose parents are diagnosed with cancer can access support through National Health Service cancer services, including advice and support from clinical teams, clinical nurse specialists support, and referral to psychological support services where clinically appropriate. Families can also access support from voluntary and community sector organisations, such as Young Lives vs Cancer and Macmillan Cancer Support, which provide information, practical assistance, and emotional support for children, young people, and families affected by cancer.

We continue to work with NHS England and stakeholders to improve support for people affected by cancer and their families.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her Department uses when selecting sites for potential new reservoirs.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Reservoirs require detailed feasibility studies to ensure they are located in the right place and designed to be safe, sustainable, and cost-effective. This involves surveying multiple potential sites, complex modelling for hydrology and geology, and refining designs through several rounds of consultation and technical review as new information is made available.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps her Department has taken to improve ambulance response times in (a) Nottinghamshire and (b) England.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to answer given on 26 June in response to Question 11592, which details actions taken both nationally and by East Midlands Ambulance Service, which provides ambulance services in Nottinghamshire.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of immigration levels on water (a) usage and (b) security.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies set out how they will meet their water supply duties in their Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs). The plans show how they will secure water supplies in the long-term. Companies prepare revised WRMPs every five years and must take account of various factors such as population changes.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of immigration levels on water supply.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Water companies set out how they will meet their water supply duties in their Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs). The plans show how they will secure water supplies in the long-term. Companies prepare revised WRMPs every five years and must take account of various factors such as population changes.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to ensure that universities provide transparent data on graduate employment outcomes to help students make informed decisions about higher education pathways.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Although Higher Education (HE) providers are autonomous of government, the department recognises that student choice requires access to high-quality and graduate outcome information. The department continues to work with the Office for Students (OfS), UCAS and sector partners to improve the quality, accessibility and visibility of graduate outcome information, as set out in the Post-16 Skills White Paper.

Discover Uni, operated by the UK HE funding and regulatory bodies, provides comprehensive courses, student and graduate outcomes, and earnings information via Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) Data. LEO provides a unique data source rarely available internationally linking education, employment, earnings or benefits records, valuable evidence on educational pathways and labour market outcomes supporting the focus on aligning education pathways with priority occupations and addressing skills shortages.

The OfS regulatory framework requires providers to comply with Competition and Markets Authority guidance on consumer protection, including providing prospective students with accurate destination information.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his department is taking to improve housing pathways for veterans at risk of homelessness.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure veterans and their families get access to the housing and other support they need.

To help veterans secure accommodation, the Government has removed local connection requirements for regular Armed Forces veterans applying for social housing in England and funding the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme to provide wraparound support across the UK. Veterans who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, can also access dedicated assistance through Op FORTITUDE.

The Government works closely with delivery partners to ensure veterans can access appropriate housing and wider support services. Veterans can also access specialist mental and physical healthcare through Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE, employment and career support through Op ASCEND and the Career Transition Partnership, and assistance for those in contact with, or at risk of contact with, the criminal justice system through Op NOVA.

The Ministry of Defence also provides tailored information, guidance and welfare support through Veterans Services and its network of case managers across the UK, helping veterans and their families navigate and access services, including support with housing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on trends in the average number of vehicles on the roads from 2000 onwards.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Information on the volume of traffic on roads across Great Britain is collected and published by the Department here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-traffic-statistics.

The data held by the Department for 2000 to 2025 showed that 342.6 billion vehicle miles were travelled on Great Britain’s roads in 2025, compared to 289.6 billion miles in 2000.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans with their mental health.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that veterans have access to the support they need for their health, including specifically support for mental health.

NHS England delivers Op COURAGE, a fully integrated, specialist mental health service for veterans, which has received over 35,000 referrals. The Government has also launched a new programme to deliver dedicated training for NHS staff to help them identify and support patients with a military background, to ensure that the support offered is comprehensive, appropriate and meets the particular needs of veterans.

We also launched VALOUR, a new system to give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them. VALOUR Recognised Centres will facilitate access to multiple services for veterans, and will connect local, regional, and national services. A network of VALOUR Field Officers will bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination, enabling data-driven policy and service development. Finally, a VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of fitness requirements in the Army.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Army’s current fitness requirements remain appropriate and are kept under regular review to ensure they continue to align with operational requirements. Data is collected across Army fitness events and reviewed by military staff, scientists and independent experts to inform policy and ensure standards remain evidence-based.

Since 2025, the Army has introduced two new measures to strengthen physical readiness. The Soldier Conditioning Assessment (SCA), introduced in April 2026, identifies areas for improvement for individual soldiers and informs tailored training programmes. The Collective Physical Readiness Evaluation (CPRE) enables Commanders to focus physical training on improving collective readiness against mission requirements.

The Army is also formally reviewing its Role Fitness Tests (Soldier), which assess whether soldiers meet the physical capability requirements for their specific occupation, to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to expand high‑quality alternatives to traditional university routes.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government is committed to ensuring young people have clear, high-quality alternatives to traditional university routes. Our skills strategy is focused on giving learners routes into skilled employment and higher-level study while meeting employer and economic need.

New technical pathways from age 14 will put technical and academic education on an equal footing, widening choices for young people and supporting progression into post-16 technical education, apprenticeships, further study and skilled careers.

Reformed post-16 technical and vocational qualifications will give young people clearer choices, supporting them to succeed in work and life. At level 3, T Levels prepare students for employment, higher apprenticeships or further technical study, and V levels support progression to further study or work-based training, including apprenticeships. At level 2, Foundation Certificates support progression to level 3 and Occupational Certificates lead to skilled employment.

Apprenticeships remain central to our skills strategy as paid jobs with structured training, enabling people to earn while they learn and progress into skilled careers across the country.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve regional public transport connectivity.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The ‘Better Connected’ strategy sets out this government’s long-term vision for making transport work well for more people across England, recognising that passengers want simple, reliable and joined-up journeys and recognising the role of local leaders in delivering transport networks that meet the neds of their communities.

The department is also giving greater flexibility to local areas by providing £21bn of consolidated local transport funding over the spending review period to all local transport authorities, so they can make the strategic decisions that best impact their local areas. Government continues to provide significant investment for major transport projects to improve regional connectivity, including £11bn to upgrade the route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, laying the foundations for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

We are improving public transport connectivity by implementing the Bus Services Act 2025 which gives local leaders greater powers to determine how bus services are planned and delivered in their areas, alongside funding to support them and bus operators to improve bus services, helping local areas deliver more frequent, reliable and better integrated public transport networks.

On rail, the Railways Bill underpins the move towards a more locally focused railway, creating the statutory basis for structured partnerships with mayors to enable collaboration on local rail and wider transport priorities. This will mean that mayors are able to clearly outline the passenger service needs for their area and improve integration with other modes.

We have also published new Local Transport Plan guidance which requires local transport authorities to consider integrated ticketing and wider network connectivity when planning local services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of (a) delayed and (b) cancelled trains on the Robin Hood Line in the last 6 periods.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The long-term performance on the Robin Hood Line has improved significantly in recent years, with the May 2022 timetable change transforming the route from one of East Midlands Railways’ lowest-performing routes to one of its strongest. Current Moving Annual Average performance is 84.5 per cent, outperforming the industry average of 84.0 per cent.

Recent performance has been impacted by prolonged periods of hot and dry weather across the network, despite this, between 81 per cent and 87 per cent of services have continued to arrive within three minutes of schedule.

A range of improvement initiatives are being delivered to support further reliability growth, including refurbishment of the Class 158 and 170 trains that run on the line, platform zoning at Nottingham to improve dispatch and dwell-time compliance, and a programme of vegetation clearance to strengthen autumn and seasonal resilience.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure patients with pulmonary fibrosis receive equal levels of care across England.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 104957.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the diagnosis time for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 104957.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to increase support for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 20 January in response to Question 104957.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her department is taking to support motorists with rising (a) maintenance, (b) insurance and (c) fuel costs.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There are many factors that contribute to the cost of spare parts and vehicle repair. The government is aware of the need to maintain fair competition in the vehicle repair sector and appropriate enforcement action may be considered where this is not the case.

In October 2024, we formed the cross-government taskforce on motor insurance, to fulfil the government’s commitment to tackle the soaring cost of motor insurance in the UK. The government values the continued engagement of industry stakeholders throughout the motor insurance taskforce’s work and following the publication of the final report, we remain committed to close collaboration with insurers to support a fair, competitive, and sustainable motor insurance market. We welcome ongoing dialogue to address any concerns and to support the sector in adapting to the changes ahead.

As the government announced in May, as part of a £600 million package to support with fuel prices, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year. This means the temporary 5p cut will be extended until the end of the year, providing certainty to motorists. In total, the decisions taken since the 2024 general election to freeze Fuel Duty save motorists 11p per litre or £120 per year for the average car, compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential financial impact of rising fuel costs on households in England.

Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that families and businesses will be worried about the impact of conflict in the Middle East here at home and that increases in fuel prices can put strain on household budgets, particularly those that rely heavily on road transport and heating oil.

The Government monitors road fuel and heating oil prices and considers their impact on household budgets, using published fuel price data and wider evidence on household affordability.

The burden of higher fuel costs falls disproportionately on lower-income households, with those in the lowest income decile spending the highest proportion of their disposable income on fuel.

As of 12^th October, the average cost to fill a 50-litre car with diesel is £100, £29 higher than pre-conflict, while for petrol it is £88, £22 higher.^[1]

As of June, 38% of those who use oil as the main heating source in their home said they have difficultly affording heating oil.^[2]

^[1] Weekly road fuel prices (DESNZ, 2026)

^[2] Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: personal experiences of shortages of goods - Office for National Statistics (ONS, June 2026)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle rising fuel costs.

Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that rising fuel prices can place pressure on households and businesses.

While we continue to monitor developments in fuel markets and their impact on households and businesses we have put in place measures to help consumers.

To help keep costs down, the Government has frozen fuel duty since taking office and extended the temporary 5 pence per litre fuel duty cut until 31 December.

Additionally, drivers can use the Fuel Finder scheme to compare local pump prices and identify the cheapest fuel available in their area.

In response to the surge in heating oil costs earlier this year, the Government announced over £50 million of support across the UK for low-income households that rely on heating oil.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to help support (a) drivers and (b) businesses with increases in fuel costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that increases in fuel prices can put strain on household budgets and businesses. We are closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global oil prices.

To support drivers, the Government has frozen fuel duty since taking office and extended the temporary 5 pence per litre fuel duty cut until 31 December.

Motorists can also use the Fuel Finder scheme to compare local pump prices and identify cheaper forecourts in their area.

Businesses continue to benefit from these measures, while eligible sectors including agriculture retain access to rebated red diesel.

The Government recently reduced the duty rate on red diesel further from 10.18p to 6.48p per litre until 31 December.

We continue to keep the impact of fuel prices on households and businesses under review.

Found: Golocal and Shireoaks post Office Shireoaks Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker MS WENDY PRINCE-BROWN, LEE ANDERSON

Found: Golocal and Shireoaks post Office Shireoaks Worker (A rating) Skilled Worker MS WENDY PRINCE-BROWN, LEE ANDERSON