Lilian Greenwood MP: speeches

Speeches

• 26 Jun 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  We recognise that demand for driving tests has grown not just because of a covid backlog, but due to a long-term change in behaviour and demand for driving tests. I am pleased to report that the changes we have introduced, particularly on overtime pay incentives, are making a difference. The DVSA expects to deliver thousands of additional tests this month and is working to increase test availability further over the coming year, so that constituents like the hon. Gentleman’s can obtain a test as soon as possible. I understand how important this is, particularly to young people, and we do not want to curtail their life chances.

• 26 Jun 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I absolutely agree that the poor state of the roads that has been left to us after 14 years of under-investment poses a serious risk to cyclists. That is precisely why we have given that extra £500 million to councils across England, and it is precisely why we are holding them to account and asking them to follow good practice in roads maintenance.

• 15 May 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I understand the hon. Member’s wish to get his constituents moving; it is one that we share. I would be happy to look at his concerns in relation to the A38, and I will contact him with further information.

• 15 May 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend.

• 15 May 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  Local authorities already have the powers that they need to restrict HGVs to certain vehicles or to place weight limits. If the hon. Member wants to write to me with further details of the particular issues to which he refers, I would be happy to look at that.

• 15 May 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  We are providing record amounts for local authorities this year, and we hope to provide a long-term funding settlement for local roads maintenance after the spending review.

• 15 May 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point. We know that people are booking tests in parts of the country where they have no intention of taking a test, because they can swap that for a test in another driving test centre. That is one of the issues addressed in the call for evidence that was launched in December. We have heard that evidence, and we will consult on further changes to the booking system that might address the issue that he raises.

• 15 May 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. We are holding the DVSA to account for successfully implementing the measures in last December’s seven-point plan. Some 165 new driving examiners have already passed their training and are working in driving test centres, and last year the DVSA provided 1.95 million tests. This month, it will launch an accelerated consultation on improvements to the test booking system to end the reselling of tests and the exploitation of learners, which is completely unacceptable.

• 15 May 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  We are acting to fix the mess that the shadow Minister’s Government left behind. Our seven-point plan is being implemented, and last month, the Secretary of State announced additional measures. We are determined to succeed where the last Government failed.

• 15 May 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  The hon. Gentleman is not listening. We are implementing the seven-point plan, but turning around the mess and the problems that the Conservatives left us takes time. I am determined that we will see the results, that waiting times will come down and that we will support learner drivers. It cannot be done overnight when we are trying to fix 14 years of mess.

• 15 May 2025 · Driving Test Backlog · Hansard source

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  Last month, the Secretary of State announced further measures to tackle the unacceptable driving test backlog, including doubling training capacity for driving test examiners and offering overtime pay incentives to provide extra tests. That will create up to 10,000 extra tests a month. We are determined to get Britain’s drivers moving.

• 15 May 2025 · Pavement Parking · Hansard source

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  This Government are committed to publishing a formal response to the consultation and announcing the next steps for pavement parking as soon as possible. We are currently considering the consultation outcome, including the views of many local authorities, and the options for tackling this nuisance.

• 15 May 2025 · Pavement Parking · Hansard source

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  I thank the hon. Lady for her support in acting to tackle what is a nuisance not just for disabled people, but for children walking on the pavement and for parents pushing buggies and prams. It is really important that we get this right. I am working speedily with my officials to do so, and I look forward to being able to announce the outcome of the consultation and our next steps shortly.

• 15 May 2025 · Condition of Local Roads · Hansard source

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  We are determined to end the pothole plague on our roads, which is the result of a decade of under-investment by the previous Government. We have provided an extra £500 million for councils this year to allow them to make an immediate start on this.

• 15 May 2025 · Condition of Local Roads · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for his question. This year, we are providing local authorities in England with £1.6 billion of funding for roads maintenance, including more than £75 million for the East Midlands combined authority, of which over £4.3 million is for Derbyshire. Those councils can now get on with the job. We have also introduced new reporting requirements, meaning that from next month people will be able to see exactly what their councils are doing with that money. We will end Britain’s pothole plague.

• 27 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  As a departmental team, we have regular meetings with our colleagues across the devolved Governments, including on issues of how to extend EV charging, and I would be very happy to pick that up with the hon. Gentleman further.

• 27 Mar 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I was pleased to find myself in Norfolk announcing huge amounts of investment in the region’s roads. There are a large number of schemes awaiting the outcome of the spending review, but I would be happy to write to the hon. Gentleman about the specific scheme that he raises.

• 13 Feb 2025 · East Coast Main Line · Hansard source

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  The east coast digital programme is delivering digital signalling on 100 miles of the east coast main line. The technology will deliver an inherent improvement to service reliability and uplift performance and capacity across the line, including for my hon. Friend’s constituents. The first trains are forecast to start running under digital signalling from early 2026. The number of services running under digital signalling will increase until the full programme is expected to be complete in the early 2030s.

• 9 Jan 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member is right to raise concerns about these appalling practices that are being used to rip off learner drivers. To help with this, we announced a call for evidence on the current rules and processes, and we will be working hard to eliminate the bots and make sure that learner drivers get a proper deal.

• 9 Jan 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this problem. We will publish a formal response to the consultation, which the previous Government shamefully failed to act on. We will announce next steps for pavement parking policy in England in due course.

• 9 Jan 2025 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for raising the concern, and I would be happy to meet him to discuss the issues further.

• 21 Nov 2024 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  I would be happy to get my officials to write to the hon. Gentleman to provide an update on discussions around those important schemes.

• 21 Nov 2024 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member raises a really important point about the disruption of roadworks. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we mitigate those problems and deal with them exactly as he said.

• 29 Oct 2024 · Lower Thames Crossing · Hansard source

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  I certainly agree that we have to get this right, and that is the purpose of the process, which I know is a frustratingly long one.

• 29 Oct 2024 · Lower Thames Crossing · Hansard source

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  It is important that the views of my hon. Friend’s constituents are considered alongside those of all people in any decision about a scheme of this sort.