Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to ensure that the Civil Aviation Authority fulfils the Government’s commitment to reduce administrative regulatory burdens by 25% as set out in the Regulation Action Plan.

The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing the administrative costs of regulation to businesses by 25% by the end of this Parliament. This commitment is to a net reduction across all departments and regulators, including the CAA. We remain prepared to introduce new regulation where this is proportionate and will better enable the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan.