Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what plans he has in place to ensure the long-term future of the postal service.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The postal service connects every community, and we are committed to its future. Ofcom, the independent regulator, has a statutory duty under the Postal Services Act 2011 to secure a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service.
Ofcom announced changes to modernise the universal service obligation in July 2025, and Royal Mail is still implementing its new operational model. On 16 October Ofcom proposed extending its price cap on Second Class letters for a further year, until March 2028, while it develops a stronger evidence base for its long-term approach to the affordability, sustainability, and reliability of the universal service.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent discussions his Department has held with Royal Mail regarding delays to postal deliveries.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
I have been frank in my discussions with Royal Mail’s leadership that quality of service has been unacceptable for too long and the pace of improvement must increase.
On 3 November, the Secretary of State and I met both Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union. We stressed the importance of management and the workforce working together constructively to improve service going forward.
I will continue to press the company to deliver the service that our constituents deserve.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure all RAF aircraft are kept in a high state of repair.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Royal Air Force maintains its aircraft through a comprehensive airworthiness and engineering support framework. This includes routine inspections, scheduled maintenance, repairs, modifications and ongoing assurance activities delivered by suitably trained, qualified, and authorised Royal Air Force personnel and industry partners.
These arrangements help ensure that Royal Air Force aircraft remain safe, serviceable and available to meet operational requirements.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent correspondence she has had with the DVLA regarding waiting times for driving license applications involving medical conditions.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers receive regular updates from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the timescales for driving licence applications involving medical conditions.
There has been sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical driving licence applications which has increased waiting times for some customers. The Government recognises that further improvement is needed and plans are in place to address this. To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal which means that most customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account.
These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls will deliver real improvements for customers.
In September 2026, the average time to make a licensing decision for Group 2 vocational licences where a medical investigation was involved was 55.8 working days. When the DVLA is made aware that an application is required for employment purposes, the application will be prioritised where possible.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made regarding waiting times for HGV license renewals.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers receive regular updates from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the timescales for driving licence applications involving medical conditions.
There has been sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical driving licence applications which has increased waiting times for some customers. The Government recognises that further improvement is needed and plans are in place to address this. To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal which means that most customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account.
These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls will deliver real improvements for customers.
In September 2026, the average time to make a licensing decision for Group 2 vocational licences where a medical investigation was involved was 55.8 working days. When the DVLA is made aware that an application is required for employment purposes, the application will be prioritised where possible.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for HGV license renewals.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers receive regular updates from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the timescales for driving licence applications involving medical conditions.
There has been sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical driving licence applications which has increased waiting times for some customers. The Government recognises that further improvement is needed and plans are in place to address this. To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal which means that most customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicles account.
These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls will deliver real improvements for customers.
In September 2026, the average time to make a licensing decision for Group 2 vocational licences where a medical investigation was involved was 55.8 working days. When the DVLA is made aware that an application is required for employment purposes, the application will be prioritised where possible.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much money her Department has spent on asylum accommodation in each of the last 5 years.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office publishes total spending on asylum support and accommodation in its Annual Report and Accounts. Over the last five years, total spending, including accommodation, was £3.7bn in 2025/26, £4.0bn in 2024/25, £4.7bn in 2023/24, £3.6bn in 2022/23 and £1.5bn in 2021/22.
Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her department has considered the potential merits of preventing asylum seekers from being able to roam in local communities.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Asylum accommodation is non-detained.
Asylum seekers are clearly advised of the expectations the Home Office and accommodation providers have for them to behave responsibly while they are accommodated in Home Office properties and not to engage in any form of anti-social behaviour or criminal activity. While we are unable to comment on specific instances, consideration must be given to report anti-social behaviour to your local authority, if appropriate. All incidents are reported to the Home Office immediately by the providers and this is a contractual requirement. If required, the Home Office will then work with the provider to put additional measures in place.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of regional and local differences in access to high quality mental health support.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department publishes data on geographical variation in access to secondary mental health services through its public health profiles, which are available at the following link:
https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profiles
We are developing a new cross-Government mental health strategy for England, covering all ages. The strategy will aim to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, and provides timely, practical support that matches people’s needs and circumstances.
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of Army reservists.
Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)
The Army is working to grow and modernise the Army Reserve by improving recruitment, retention and readiness. Locally focused recruiting and targeted digital engagement have shown improvements in application conversion rates, while tailored campaigns and professional networks are being used to attract core Reserve personnel and specialist civilian skills.
The Armed Forces Recruiting Service offers an opportunity to better reflect Reserve candidates’ differing motivations and circumstances. Future Reserve structures and a new Reserve Operating Model will provide clearer roles, missions and opportunities to contribute to national defence, with units retaining a central role in local recruitment and retention.