Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on waiting times for learner driver tests and approved driving instructor qualification tests.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As the Minister for Roads, I regularly meet with officials from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to discuss these, and other issues.
In April 2025, the Government announced a package of measures to reduce practical car test waiting times and deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. More than 2.13 million practical driving tests were conducted in the 12 months to August 2026 – the highest rolling 12-month figure on record. DVSA also conducted over 906,000 driving tests between April and August 2026, up 15.5% on last year.
Alongside reintroducing overtime incentives, DVSA continues to recruit driving examiners and make the booking system fairer to increase test availability, protect access to tests and reduce waiting times.
Across driving examiner recruitment campaigns between 2021 and 2025, the average time from a formal offer of employment to a new entrant completing training and entering a test centre was 104 days. Although the training course lasts six weeks, recruitment times can be affected by pre-employment checks, candidate response times, notice periods and pre-booked leave.
DVSA continues to recruit additional ADI examiners and has increased its training capacity. ADI examiners work across multiple test centres and are deployed according to demand. Through the "book to hold" service, trainees can apply for part 2 or part 3 tests even when no appointments are available, allowing DVSA to identify demand and allocate examiner resources effectively. Where appropriate, priority is given to those nearing the end of their two-year qualification period. Provided a part 3 test application is submitted before the expiry date, the test itself may take place afterwards.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress her Department has made on reducing waiting times for practical driving tests.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As the Minister for Roads, I regularly meet with officials from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to discuss these, and other issues.
In April 2025, the Government announced a package of measures to reduce practical car test waiting times and deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. More than 2.13 million practical driving tests were conducted in the 12 months to August 2026 – the highest rolling 12-month figure on record. DVSA also conducted over 906,000 driving tests between April and August 2026, up 15.5% on last year.
Alongside reintroducing overtime incentives, DVSA continues to recruit driving examiners and make the booking system fairer to increase test availability, protect access to tests and reduce waiting times.
Across driving examiner recruitment campaigns between 2021 and 2025, the average time from a formal offer of employment to a new entrant completing training and entering a test centre was 104 days. Although the training course lasts six weeks, recruitment times can be affected by pre-employment checks, candidate response times, notice periods and pre-booked leave.
DVSA continues to recruit additional ADI examiners and has increased its training capacity. ADI examiners work across multiple test centres and are deployed according to demand. Through the "book to hold" service, trainees can apply for part 2 or part 3 tests even when no appointments are available, allowing DVSA to identify demand and allocate examiner resources effectively. Where appropriate, priority is given to those nearing the end of their two-year qualification period. Provided a part 3 test application is submitted before the expiry date, the test itself may take place afterwards.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average time is between the recruitment of a driving examiner and that examiner conducting practical driving tests.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As the Minister for Roads, I regularly meet with officials from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to discuss these, and other issues.
In April 2025, the Government announced a package of measures to reduce practical car test waiting times and deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. More than 2.13 million practical driving tests were conducted in the 12 months to August 2026 – the highest rolling 12-month figure on record. DVSA also conducted over 906,000 driving tests between April and August 2026, up 15.5% on last year.
Alongside reintroducing overtime incentives, DVSA continues to recruit driving examiners and make the booking system fairer to increase test availability, protect access to tests and reduce waiting times.
Across driving examiner recruitment campaigns between 2021 and 2025, the average time from a formal offer of employment to a new entrant completing training and entering a test centre was 104 days. Although the training course lasts six weeks, recruitment times can be affected by pre-employment checks, candidate response times, notice periods and pre-booked leave.
DVSA continues to recruit additional ADI examiners and has increased its training capacity. ADI examiners work across multiple test centres and are deployed according to demand. Through the "book to hold" service, trainees can apply for part 2 or part 3 tests even when no appointments are available, allowing DVSA to identify demand and allocate examiner resources effectively. Where appropriate, priority is given to those nearing the end of their two-year qualification period. Provided a part 3 test application is submitted before the expiry date, the test itself may take place afterwards.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to enforce animal welfare regulations relating to the killing of piglets on commercial pig farms.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer, on 4 June 2026 to PQ UIN 3739.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of borrowing costs on small businesses in the construction sector.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that borrowing costs can affect cash flow, investment decisions and growth prospects for small businesses, including those operating in the construction sector. We continue to monitor economic conditions and engage regularly with businesses and representative bodies to understand the challenges they face. The Government is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through measures to improve access to finance, while broader economic policies are focused on delivering stability and supporting sustainable growth across the economy.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planning restrictions in conservation areas on the installation of domestic heat pumps.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
While responsibility for planning policy primarily sits with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) the two departments work closely on these issues and recognise the importance of ensuring that planning requirements do not create unnecessary barriers to the deployment of low-carbon heating.
In May 2025, the Government amended permitted development rights for air source heat pumps in England to enable more households to install one without planning permission and most households can now do so.
For properties in conservation areas, the cross-government review of the barriers to retrofitting these buildings was published in January 2024 and sets out the core challenges faced by homeowners and the actions Government is taking.
Both the National Planning Policy Framework and Historic England’s guidance state the need to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation within buildings, as far as reasonably practicable without prejudicing the character of the host building or risking the long-term deterioration of the fabric or fittings. Local authorities are expected to take these into account when deciding on individual planning applications.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of parents' access to remedies where new evidence emerges following the conclusion of Family Court proceedings.
Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
A party may be able to appeal against a decision made in family proceedings, where there are grounds to do so. Such appeals have strict timescales in which to be undertaken. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeal-a-decision-in-a-family-law-case and https://www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/.
In cases where new evidence emerges following the conclusion of family court proceedings and, in light of this, where a party has concerns that arrangements are no longer working, there are processes in place. In cases where a party is concerned that a Child Arrangements Order is no longer suitable there are routes available for the court to consider these cases. If an individual wishes to apply to have a Child Arrangements Order varied or discharged, they must complete the C100 form. Further information can be found on changing a Child Arrangements Order at: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/change-or-enforce-an-order.
In a recent judgement in the case of Re Y, the former President of the Family Division referred to the Family Justice Council a proposal to develop an alternative procedural approach, in cases where “parental alienation” had previously been found based on evidence from so called “parental alienation” experts, so as to provide a more proportionate and less costly alternative to the full application procedure.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the accessibility of appeals processes in Family Court proceedings involving child protection cases.
Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
A party may be able to appeal against a decision made in family proceedings, where there are grounds to do so. Such appeals have strict timescales in which to be undertaken. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/appeal-a-decision-in-a-family-law-case and https://www.complaints.judicialconduct.gov.uk/.
In cases where new evidence emerges following the conclusion of family court proceedings and, in light of this, where a party has concerns that arrangements are no longer working, there are processes in place. In cases where a party is concerned that a Child Arrangements Order is no longer suitable there are routes available for the court to consider these cases. If an individual wishes to apply to have a Child Arrangements Order varied or discharged, they must complete the C100 form. Further information can be found on changing a Child Arrangements Order at: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/change-or-enforce-an-order.
In a recent judgement in the case of Re Y, the former President of the Family Division referred to the Family Justice Council a proposal to develop an alternative procedural approach, in cases where “parental alienation” had previously been found based on evidence from so called “parental alienation” experts, so as to provide a more proportionate and less costly alternative to the full application procedure.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of monitoring of emissions from aircraft operating in UK airspace.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government considers that existing arrangements provide a robust basis for monitoring aviation emissions. Aircraft operators are required to monitor and report verified CO2 emissions annually under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and, where applicable, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
The UK also reports aviation emissions through its annual greenhouse gas inventory submitted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Domestic aviation emissions are included in national totals, while international aviation emissions are reported separately in accordance with international guidance.
These frameworks account for emissions, using internationally recognised operator, route and fuel-use methodologies rather than continuously measuring emissions from every aircraft while within UK airspace. The CAA also assess and reports on the environmental performance of the UK aviation sector through its periodic Aviation Environmental Review.
Asked by: Mark Sewards (Labour - Leeds South West and Morley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Ofsted’s early years inspection framework in distinguishing between isolated management failures and serious failings when determining inspection outcomes.
Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. It is committed to ensuring that all children receive high-quality early education in safe and nurturing settings. As an independent, non-ministerial government department led by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Ofsted is responsible for developing, maintaining and evaluating its inspection frameworks and approaches.
The government is supporting a strengthened improvement and accountability system, including through more frequent inspections, strengthened quality assurance, enhanced inspector training and additional safeguarding activity. We are providing over £4.5 million in funding this financial year, and at least £8 million across future years, including for an additional 3,000 unannounced visits a year, more inspectors for larger or more complex settings and a strengthened registration process.
These measures are intended to support consistent, evidence-based inspection outcomes and provide parents with up-to-date information about the quality and safety of early years provision.