Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what safeguards are in place to ensure that public sector employees are not subject to political vetting, pressure or monitoring by internal staff networks.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

All civil servants must follow the Civil Service Code, including when acting in a volunteer civil service staff network capacity. This includes acting with political impartiality at all times. The public sector is not bound by the Civil Service Code but public sector employees will be subject to their own codes of conduct.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of driving test waiting times in Portsmouth, Lee‑on‑the‑Solent.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now published more detailed data-sets so learners can get better understanding of the booking system. More information and waiting time data, including for driving test centres (DTC) that serve Portsmouth, Lee-on-the-Solent, can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA recognises the importance of timely access to practical driving tests for learner drivers across the country, and the role this plays in supporting employment, education, and mobility.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. DVSA conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on SEND learners and anxious or vulnerable pupils who rely on ADIs to manage test bookings on their behalf.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Whether the consultation on the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 met all four Gunning Principles, and what steps were taken to ensure respondents were provided with sufficient information to give informed responses.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the de minimis impact assessment accompanying the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the proportionality of prohibiting Approved Driving Instructors from booking driving tests on behalf of pupils, and whether alternative regulatory options were considered.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What assessment her Department has made of the integrity, accuracy and security of the dataset used by the DVSA during the consultation on the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the DVSA will publish the evidence it that Approved Driving Instructors were significantly misusing the driving test booking system prior to the introduction of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the DVSA has taken to address cybersecurity in the Online Booking System.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Skilled Worker and Health and Care visas were issued to employees of Radis Community Care between 2023–24 and 2025, and what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of compliance monitoring for employers generating high volumes of visa sponsorships in short periods.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics.

UKVI undertakes an assessment as to whether a business has a genuine need for the volume of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) that have been applied for by Sponsor Licence Holders. We also examine the intentions and ability of the worker when they submit an immigration application.

This means that even if a sponsor has been granted an allocation of CoS or has assigned any of these to support an Immigration Application, it does not necessarily mean that a visa is granted.

If non-compliance is identified on part of the Sponsor we will not hesitate to act and levy the most appropriate sanction based on the scale of the issue.

The published guidance relating to this can be found at: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

Found: Suella Braverman, the Government's chief legal adviser, said there had been no legal breaches AGO

Found: higher for children’s claims. 269 2023-06-01 00:00:00 Y Y The then Home Secretary Suella Braverman