Over the last few months, my office has received a significant number of complaints regarding the length of time it has taken to renew or be issued a driving licence. The Forest of Dean is not alone in this, and I am sure you have seen from reports in the media that the DVLA had a substantial backlog during the pandemic. Not only this, but many constituents also were unable to speak directly to a representative of the agency.
This backlog and lack of communication was made worse by trade union strike action, which deliberately targeted the parts of the organisation that would have the greatest impact on customers, such as the drivers’ medical team.
Given the DVLA’s main office is in Swansea, it must also have regard to the Welsh Labour Government’s public health guidance. Welsh Government guidance still strongly advises businesses and employers to continue with home working, advocating fixed targets for home working. Indeed, in December, the Welsh Labour Government even threatened to fine employees who went to the office.
To tackle this, the UK Government is working to bring staff back into the office as quickly as possible, in line with wider UK Civil Service requirements. New DVLA office space has been opened in Birmingham, with staff focused predominantly on drivers’ medical applications.
As a result of constituents’ issues, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, making him aware of my constituents’ concerns as well as raising a large number of cases directly with the DVLA. We are continuing to do this, and if anyone in the Forest is still struggling with the DVLA, please get in touch and I’ll do what I can to help speed things up.