Joe Robertson MP: written questions 2026
371 published records · newest first.
Written questions
East West Rail LineDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in which month she expects East West Rail services to commence from Oxford Parkway to Bicester.
Answer: The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the first EWR services between Oxford and Milton Keynes. For passenger services to commence, trains will need to have been modified and fully te...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Greenhouse Gas EmissionsCabinet OfficeTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122593More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether she has made an assessment of the comparative costs of greenhouse gas emissions reporting across the Government estate relative to the emissions reductions achieved as a result of those activities.
Answer: This information is not available. GPA do not manage the greenhouse gas emissions data and reporting across all of the government estate.
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Hire ServicesDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government Fleet Commitment in increasing the proportion of zero emission vehicles in departmental vehicle hire fleets, in the context of the proportion
Answer: Data on vehicles used by Government departments, including vehicles hired for 6 days or more, can be found online at Greening Government Commitments April 2021 to March 2024 report - GOV.UK. However, the data does not break down owned fleet and hired vehi...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120007, how much of the average annual real-terms reduction in HS2 capital spending between 2025-26 and 2029-30 will be achieved through (a) efficiency saving
Answer: The HS2 Spending Review settlement reflects the scope of work that the HS2 programme plans to deliver over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30. The average annual real-terms growth rate of -7.9% detailed in the Spending Review report reflects changes in annual ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading Scheme: ShippingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122059More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department has provided to members of the Northern Ireland Assembly on the relationship between the UK ETS maritime extension and potential CBAM impacts prior to the Asse
Answer: The Common Understanding published in May 2025 following the UK-EU Summit with the EU to work towards establishing a link between the UK ETS and the EU ETS. This sets out the parameters for a linking agreement, including that the link should apply in resp...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading Scheme: ShippingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122056More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria were used to determine exemptions from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension; and for what reason Isle of Wight ferry services were not included in the exemptions.
Answer: There is a high bar for exemptions as these undermine the policy objectives. However, the Government agreed to exempt ferries serving Scotland’s islands because of the unique and pressing challenges they face, alongside the legal duties to consider island...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Standing ChargesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121668More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average domestic electricity standing charge is; and how this has changed since 2021.
Answer: The department publishes statistics on the cost of domestic electricity and gas.Annual domestic energy bills - GOV.UK This includes tables (2.2.4 for electricity and 2.3.4 for gas) outlining the average fixed cost (standing charge) in £/year for the Unite...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBatteries: CostsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121667More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of current battery costs per kWh; and what assumptions underpin projections for future cost reductions.
Answer: My Department does not publish an official estimate and for benchmarking we reference internationally trusted, independent sources.Battery technology is becoming increasingly important for our national resilience. Global demand for batteries is surging, t...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the latest electric vehicle market share is as a proportion of new car registrations; and what projections her Department has made for that figure.
Answer: The zero emission vehicle share of new cars registered in 2025 was 22.9% according to DfT's faster indicators of transport activity, updated March 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/developing-faster-indicators-of-transport-activity#:~:text=Ca...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNitrogen Dioxide: Pollution ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 119491, whether the Department holds a project-level financial breakdown of NO2 Programme expenditure as part of its reporting to the Government Major Projects Portfoli
Answer: Appropriate programme level reporting of spend and forecasts are provided regularly to the Government Major Projects Portfolio in line with agreed reporting requirements.
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAviation: Colour Vision DeficiencyDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116584 on Aviation: Colour Vision Deficiency, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the published evidence and legal findings relating to operat
Answer: While some national aviation authorities have begun to explore operational colour vision assessments, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is not aware of any peer‑reviewed evidence demonstrating their validation or safety equivalence to established test...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many potholes were filled on local roads in England in each of the last three financial years; what estimate her Department has made of the number of potholes filled in (a) 2024–25 and (b) 2025–26 to date;
Answer: Under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, local highway authorities are responsible for the condition of their local road networks, including repairing defects such as potholes. Data on the number of potholes repaired by each local highway authority duri...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAbnormal LoadsHome OfficeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the increase in income generated by West Midlands Police from escorting abnormal loads over the past five years; and what guidance her Department provides to police for
Answer: West Midlands Police is responsible for how guidance on charging for abnormal roads is implemented in its area. Local variation in the management of abnormal loads may be necessary to account for factors such as geography and road infrastructure.NPCC guid...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: CyclewaysDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 116791, which organisations representing disabled people were engaged in relation to the guidance entitled Floating Bus Stops: Provision and Design; on what da
Answer: Three workshops were held on the floating bus stop guidance, one in-person (17 November 2025) and two online (18 and 24 November 2025). All three workshops were facilitated by Transport for All and attended by officials from the Department and ATE. They c...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordParking Offences: FinesDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 115449, in which month in Q2 2026 the Department expects to publish the findings of the Call for Evidence on Restricting the generation of surplus funds from t
Answer: It remains the Department’s plan to publish the findings of the Call for Evidence: 'Restricting the generation of surplus funds from traffic contraventions' in March. This was commissioned by the previous Government as part of its Plan for Drivers.
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFreight and LogisticsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120682More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what international case studies her Department has examined to establish best practice for the enhancement of key data and insight capabilities on the freight and logistics system.
Answer: The Department recognises the value of international comparisons when developing freight and logistics analytical projects. Recent examples include:Australia’s National Freight Data Hub, which provides a central platform for sharing freight data to improv...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: TrainingDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120681More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the number of train driver training places.
Answer: It is the responsibility of operators to determine their own workforce requirements, including the number of train drivers they need to recruit and train. However, we recognise that the rail industry faces an acute shortage of train drivers and that a sy...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTrain Operating Companies: StaffDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the staff costs are of each nationalised train operator company under the control of DfT Operator Limited.
Answer: Official statistics on train operator costs are published on the Office of Rail and Road portal. Rail industry finance (UK) | ORR Data Portal Rail industry finance (UK) – April 2024 to March 2025 Table 7223 – Franchised Passenger Train Operator Finances b...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Fees and ChargesDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects the DVLA Fee Strategy to be published.
Answer: While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency keep its fees under constant review, there are currently no plans to publish a fees strategy.
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMaritime and Coastguard Agency: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119087More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking in 2025-26 to reduce the fee deficit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Answer: The MCA undertakes services, such as vessel surveys, seafarer certification and the registration of seamen and shipping for which it charges fees. These activities are pivotal to maritime safety, helping to prevent loss of life and pollution incidents at ...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTaxis: LicensingDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118051More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government will establish a national database of licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers accessible to licensing authorities.
Answer: Since 2023 all licensing authorities have been required to use a national licensing database to facilitate the sharing of information when a taxi or private hire vehicle driver has had a licence refused, suspended or revoked on the grounds of safeguarding...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTaxis: LicensingDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118050More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce a single national definition of a fit and proper person for taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing.
Answer: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, seeks to provide a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations requirements that must be met for any taxi or private hire vehicle licence t...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCarersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118049More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 4.3.17 in his Department's manual entitled National Institute for Health and Care Excellence health technology evaluations: the manual, what would constitute a substanti
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical a...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAlzheimer's Disease: CarersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118048More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the suitability of the EQ-5D model for assessing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on carer quality of life.
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical a...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAlzheimer's Disease: CarersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118047More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of novel treatments on the unpaid care costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical a...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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