Following a relatively quiet month of Parliamentary activity on transport safety in October, November has provided much more relevant material to discuss. Bits to look out for this month include plenty of legislation, transport safety questions and changes to rules and structures.
Debates, questions and statements in Parliament
Ministerial Statement on the Huntingdon Train Attack
At the start of the month, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a statement on the Huntingdon train attack. She commended the quick action taken by the train driver and crew that curtailed the violence and allowed police to board and end the attack within eight minutes. In response to the attack, the British Transport Police (BTP) has increased its presence at key points across the transport network to reassure the public, though their operational risk assessment for trains remains unchanged, viewing this as an isolated attack. Going forward, the Home Secretary has committed to reviewing safety once all facts are known, noting that the government will soon consult on a new legal framework for live facial recognition and is working on technology to scan for knives at a distance
Ministerial Statement on Police Reforms
The Government has announced the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) at the end of their current term in 2028. This decision stems from the finding that the PCC model has “failed to live up to expectations” due to low public engagement (with less than a quarter of voters turning out in the 2024 elections) and weakened local accountability. PCC functions will be transferred by default to elected mayors or, in non-mayoral areas, to new policing and crime boards comprising local council leaders. The changes are expected to deliver cost savings of £100 million this Parliament.
Oral Questions on the Annual Number of Serious Injuries and Deaths on the Roads – House of Lords
The Government reiterated that it is committed to reducing road casualties and will publish the first road safety strategy in over a decade (though no timeline for its publication was provided), guided by the Safe System approach. Lord Lennie, who lost his brother in a motorcycle collision that was poorly investigated by police, highlighted the urgency of action. The Rail Minister, Lord Hendy outlined that measures under consideration include stronger enforcement, better use of vehicle data and modern technology, and targeted support for vulnerable road users. Other proposals include automatic e-call systems, appropriate speed-limit reductions, and the possible introduction of alcolocks.
Transport Questions – House of Commons Bottom of Form
Despite no substantive road-safety questions being tabled, a topical question from Sarah Coombes MP was asked on registration plates. The Government confirmed that “ghost plates” will be addressed in the upcoming strategy, with the DfT and DVLA exploring ways to tighten number-plate supply rules. Transport safety arose through issues such as rail staff safety, dangerous railway crossings, drug driving, and concerns about headlight glare.
Departmental, national, regional and devolved government announcements
Third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3)
The Government announced that it is seeking views on the development of its third cycling and walking investment strategy, the consultation focuses on the vision, objectives and how local authorities will provide active travel programmes. The strategy will run from 2025 to 2030.
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licenses) Regulations 1999 – Changes
This change specifically affects lorry and bus (Group 2) drivers who manage insulin treated diabetes. Under the updated regulations, Group 2 drivers with diabetes will have the option to use Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) as an alternative to traditional finger-prick blood glucose testing.
Driving Test Rules – Changes
The DVSA has announced changes to driving test rules that will come in from Spring 2026. Changes included are that only learner drivers will be able to book and manage car driving tests, learner drivers will be limited to making up to 2 changes to their test in total and tests will only be able to be moved to driving test centres within a certain geographical area of the original booking.
Legislation
Ten Minute Rule Motion – Road Safety (Schools)
The motion was tabled by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP, highlighting a case from her constituency in which a child was injured despite the driver travelling responsibly at around 20mph. She argued that lower speed limits alone are not enough and must be supported by proper crossings, clear markings, parking enforcement, visible signage and school-crossing patrols. Her Bill, developed with Brake, would require councils to work directly with schools and communities to assess road conditions, respond to local concerns and identify practical solutions, while also introducing a duty of transparency through annual public statements on safety reviews and actions taken. The Bill’s second reading is scheduled for 28th of November.
Ten Minute Rule Motion – Driving Without Insurance (Penalties and Enforcement)
This Bill was introduced by Peter Swallow MP and seeks to strengthen the penalties for driving without insurance and would require the Secretary of State to publish an assessment of how effectively current enforcement methods are working. With the MIB estimating that around one million uninsured drivers are on UK roads, costing the economy £1 billion a year and being disproportionately linked to collisions, speeding, and impaired driving, the proposal argues that tougher measures are needed. It also argues that the current £300 fine and six penalty points are not a strong enough deterrent.
Crime and Policing Bill – House of Lords
The Crime and Policing Bill has reached its House of Lords Committee stage. The Bill contains measures on dangerous cycling, public order powers for the British Transport Police and powers related to vehicle seizures.
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – House of Commons
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is now at the House of Commons Report Stage. This Bill is relevant for transport safety as it includes several changes related to road safety powers and micromobility licensing. Potential impacts of the bill may include new powers for Mayors over Key Route Networks, increased consistency of civil enforcement for traffic contraventions and a duty to implement a local transport plan for strategic authorities, within which commitments like Vision Zero could be included. Further updates will be provided on the bill as it progresses.
Railways Bill – House of Commons
The Railways Bill was introduced at the start of November. The Bill will establish Great British Railways and includes several provisions relating to safety, focusing primarily on the duties of ministers and the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the monitoring role of the ORR, and regulatory powers concerning train drivers. Alongside it, the Government has released guidance on GBR and the public ownership programme, the results of its ‘A Railway Fit for Britain’s Future’ consultation, and a policy paper outlining the accessible railways roadmap.
Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 12 November, with aims to strengthen national security and better protect critical infrastructure like transport networks from cyber-attacks.
Upcoming events
Road Vehicles (Type-Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 2025; Road Vehicles (Type-Approval) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 – motions to take note – House of Lords (25/11/25)
Westminster Hall debate on tackling violence against women and girls in London (25/11/25)
Oral questions on reducing the prevalence of violence against women and girls in line with the Labour Party Manifesto 2024 commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade – House of Lords (27/11/25)
