{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnswerDate=2021-09-28", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?AnswerDate=2021-09-28", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnswerDate=2021-09-28&_metadata=all", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&AnswerDate=2021-09-28", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnswerDate=2021-09-28", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnswerDate=2021-09-28", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1355577", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1355577/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

In response to the current exceptional circumstances facing businesses at this time, we have made available 5,000 visas for HGV drivers to enter the UK on a short-term basis to support the fuel and food supply sector. In line with other routes, eligibility for the visa is not based on whether an applicant is an EU national.<\/p>

This is a temporary measure leading into Christmas to mitigate some of the acute issues experienced at this particular time and until the range of other measures, including ramping up testing capacity and the creation of new Skills Bootcamps for HGV drivers, bite.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-09-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-09-29T11:14:38.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Large Goods Vehicle Drivers: Recruitment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to change immigration rules to allow more HGV drivers to be recruited from overseas.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4304", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Allen of Kensington"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Allen of Kensington"} ], "uin" : "HL2679"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1355578", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1355578/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is supporting the Government\u2019s wider plans to address the shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers and conduct more HGV driving tests.<\/p>

<\/p>

Since vocational testing restarted, following the easing of restrictions, the DVSA has been making available an average of 3,000 practical vocational test slots each week; this compares to 2,000 tests pre-pandemic.<\/p>

<\/p>

The DVSA is asking all those qualified to conduct vocational tests, but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, offering a national recovery allowance and annual leave buy back to examiners, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays and weekends).<\/p>

<\/p>

Following a public consultation, the Government is implementing a number of measures to significantly boost HGV driving test availability by:<\/p>