Richard Holden MP: written questions 2025
1652 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Great British RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88882 on Great British Railways, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of establishing and operating the regulatory oversight function
Answer: The Railways Bill gives ORR a statutory power to levy a fee, providing stable and predictable funding to support its independence and effective operation. ORR's own analysis has been reflected in the SR settlement for 2026–27 to 2028–29. Final funding lev...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCongenital AbnormalitiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87431 on Congenital Abnormalities, what use is made of consanguinity data collected by NHS England through the Maternity Services Data Set in
Answer: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities supports the delivery of national and regional priorities for prevention and health inequalities across the regional system. The NHS Genomic Medicine Service delivers genomic testing, guided by eligibility...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS England: Carbon EmissionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the net zero targets for NHS England are; and what guidance has been given to NHS bodies on adopting net zero targets earlier than 2050.
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan commits to supporting NHS England’s existing commitments set out in 2020’s Delivering a Net Zero Health Service report, including achieving net zero by 2040 for the emissions the National Health Service controls and by 2045 for the...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: BatteriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92090More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support UK car manufacturers in developing and commercialising solid-state battery technology.
Answer: The Government has made the UK's largest single commitment to battery R&D of £452 million to 2030 in the new Battery Innovation Programme (BIP). This programme builds on the Faraday Battery Challenge to drive cross-sector innovation in emerging and ne...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWritten QuestionsLeader of the HouseTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92063More
Question: To ask the Leader of the House, with reference to paragraph 221 of the Guide to Parliamentary Work, how many answers to Written Parliamentary Questions have (a) declined to provide information on the grounds that it should be sought via the Freedom of Inf
Answer: The information requested is not held by the Government. Data on response times to written parliamentary questions (PQs) is published following the end of every session by the House of Commons Procedure Committee.I have written to all Members of Cabinet a...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCivil Proceedings: Legal CostsMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the recommendations of the Civil Justice Council's 2025 review, whether he plans to introduce legislation to clarify that third-party litigation funding agreements are not treated as damages-bas
Answer: The Government recognises the critical role third-party litigation funding plays in access to justice and is committed to ensuring it works fairly for all.The Government welcomes the Civil Justice Council review of litigation funding, which will help info...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGreat British RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse of rebranding Network Rail as Great British Railways, including expenditure and losses relating to new branding, logo replacement, signage, vehic
Answer: Great British Railways i(GBR) s not a rebranding of Network Rail. GBR will bring together track and train as a directing mind, consolidating several different rail bodies to deliver better outcomes for passengers, freight users, and taxpayers. The Departm...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Instruction: TrainingDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to reform the regulation of driving instructor training, including the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT), to introduce minimum entry standards and protect trainees from
Answer: This year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) established the Car Driver Training and Testing Forum, which brings together trade and industry partners to work collaboratively on improving the driver instructor training and testing profession. ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Waiting ListsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92059More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the causes of driving test waiting times, including the impact of block-booking and examiner shortages; and what steps she plans to take to improve Driver and Vehicle Standards A
Answer: Waiting times are still high for learner drivers. Car practical test waiting times remain high due to sustained increased demand and reduced learner driver confidence in the availability of driving tests. This has contributed to some learners choosing to ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: ChinaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92058More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Chinese market dumping of (a) electric vehicles and (b) internal combustion engine vehicles on UK automotive sector.
Answer: The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is the UK’s investigatory body that exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices, including dumping.I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA if they believe they are being injured b...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMotorwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92057More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish (a) copies of all Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports relating to (i) all lane running, (ii) dynamic hard shoulder and (iii) controlled motorway schemes on the Strategic Road Netw
Answer: Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports are complex and detailed and it is right that we take the time to fully assure them before publication. We will provide an update on plans for the publication of further smart motorway POPEs in due course. Na...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: GrantsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92049More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how the criteria for the Electric Car Grant was determined; and what engagement with industry was held on this issue.
Answer: The Electric Car Grant criteria were designed to support British drivers in accessing affordable, sustainably manufactured electric vehicles. Over 35,000 drivers have benefited from this scheme to date. The grant's design was not discussed with industry d...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Traffic Control: OxfordDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92048More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2025, to Question 77640, on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, if he will publish the data sharing contract.
Answer: Such data sharing contracts are not routinely published and there are no plans to do so.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTrain Operating Companies: NationalisationDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92047More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78720 on South West Railway: Nationalisation, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of public ownership of the railways on levels of Govern
Answer: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government implemented emergency contractual arrangements which involved taking on all revenue and the vast majority of cost risk from the train operating companies. Therefore, public ownership of these rail servi...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGreat British Railways: Local GovernmentDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92046More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to provide mechanisms for (a) local authorities and (b) Transport for London to challenge service decisions made by Great British Railways that affect their areas.
Answer: GBR will be required to consult Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) where decisions on passenger services or rail infrastructure could have a significant impact on their areas. GBR will also have regard to Local Transport Plans and the Mayor of London’s ...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCompany Cars: TaxationTreasuryTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91468More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consultation her Department has undertaken with vehicle manufacturers and the wider automotive industry on the proposed changes to Employee Car Ownership Schemes, including the number of meetings held since Jul
Answer: At Budget 2025, the government announced that, to allow more time for the sector to prepare for and adapt to the proposed changes in treatment to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS), its implementation will be delayed to 6 April 2030, with transitional ...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNetwork Rail: Clocks and WatchesDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91467More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much expenditure has been incurred for the new Network Rail clock design to date; and what is the budget for the programme as a whole.
Answer: Network Rail’s new clock design was the subject of an international competition launched in April 2023 under the previous Government. The winning team received £35,000 for the purchase of the Intellectual Property rights to the design, and runners up shar...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLower Thames CrossingDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91466More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the approval and delivery of Lower Thames Crossing in light of the change of responsibilities for the project.
Answer: As with all Tier 1 projects, the Lower Thames Crossing is governed and funded by Government, with delivery by National Highways. The Development Consent Order was approved in March 2025 and enabling works will begin this year. Government is exploring fund...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91465More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78699 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, if he will list the number of public charging devices, per capita, by individual local authority.
Answer: The Department publishes statistics on the number of public charging devices at local authority level as part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure statistics.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMotorcycles: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91464More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84274 on Motorcycles: Manufacturing Industries, if he will name the Chinese firms that are receiving funding under the scheme in 2025-26.
Answer: The Department cannot provide breakdown of orders per individual manufacturer in 2025-26 due to commercial sensitivity. A list of motorcycles eligible for grant support is published online.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: GrantsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91463More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2025, to Question 84335, on Electric Vehicles: Grants, which Chinese firms have received funding under the scheme in 2025-26.
Answer: The Department cannot provide breakdown of orders per individual manufacturer due to commercial sensitivity. A list of vehicles eligible for grant support is available on Gov.UK.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91462More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question HL11224 on Railways: Wifi, if she will publish that analysis.
Answer: The analysis of the costs and benefits of both Low Earth Orbit satellite technology and trackside infrastructure was conducted in the context of the Spending Review and was about prioritisation of potential projects and programmes. We would not ordinarily...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91461More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84275, how much highways maintenance funding was provided to local authorities in aggregate in real terms in each year since 2019-20, including 2025-26.
Answer: Funding YearTotal in real terms (2024 to 2025 millions of £)Total in cash terms (millions of £)2019 to 20201,5751,2782020 to 20212,0171,7222021 to 20221,6361,4002022 to 20231,5121,3852023 to 20241,7991,7352024 to 20251,5351,5352025 to 20261,912*1,963Total...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAirports: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91460More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency's guidance entitled Practice Note 3: 2023: Major International and Regional Airports has been updated for the (a) 2026 business rates revaluation and (b) phasing out of the effect
Answer: The Valuation Office Agency's guidance will be updated for the 2026 revaluation and will be published when the Rating List is compiled on 1 April 2026.
Answered 20 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordParking: Automatic Number Plate RecognitionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91459More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77649 on Parking: Automatic Number Plate Recognition, whether the Government allows requests from (a) Patrol, (b) the Britis
Answer: As stated in my response of 13 October to Question 77649, local authorities can use ANPR for civil parking enforcement. However, the Deregulation Act 2015 restricts the use of any surveillance technology by local authorities as the sole means of enforcing...
Answered 20 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →