Articles by Alexander Brown

Technology

Learners desperate for driving tests 'taken advantage' of by bots and scammers

Learners desperate to take their driving tests are being “taken advantage of” due to test slots being bought up by bots, MPs have warned. A total of 38 MPs have signed a letter to the Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood raising concerns that scammers are buying up tests on DVSA’s official portal so they can be sold on for profit. Tests are released by the DVSA every Monday at 6am, but many are instantly hoovered up, with young learners being persuaded to part with hundreds of pounds of " arrangement fees " to jump the queue. The scandal has left learners fighting to book in a test, and paying up to £500 to do so, when tests typically cost £62 on a week day. This can be done through swapping test dates, something that soared in Covid, but is now being taken advantage of. Recent data shows that licence number swapping occurred for 2.7% of tests in Jan 2019, and reached a high of 34.1% in Oct 2023. Currently, around 1 in every 4 tests is swapped at least once, while 29,000 tests are swapped 10 times or more. Labour MP Amanda Hack organised the letter, and urged ministers to bring in “strong action” to end the scourge of rip-off test prices. Speaking to the Sunday Mirror , the North West Leicestershire said: “Learner drivers, including many in my constituency of North West Leicestershire, are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds for driving tests that should cost £62. “This sharp rise in prices appears to be linked to the surge in test swapping since the Covid pandemic. While learners often have genuine reasons to change their test date, the system of unlimited swaps has been exploited by bots and third parties that hoover up tests as soon as they become available. Hardworking people who simply want a chance to take their test are being taken advantage of, which is both unfair and deeply damaging to learner drivers across the country. “Together with my colleagues, I am backing the Government in taking the strongest possible action to tackle this issue and bring test prices back down to normal levels, ensuring driving tests are as accessible and affordable as possible.” The Department for Transport spokesperson claimed steps were already being taken to crack down on the scammers. A spokesperson said: "We inherited a frustrating system where many learners found themselves stuck in limbo, waiting to ditch their L plates, but unable to get a test. We instructed the DVSA to take further measures this year, and we're now beginning to see early signs of improvement. "We promised more tests, and we're seeing progress. We’ve incentivised driving examiners to carry out more tests, and we've nearly doubled the number of trainers available to train new examiners, unlocking more tests. “But there’s still more to be done – and we will make sure the DVSA continues to do all they can to reduce waiting times, breaking down the barriers of opportunity as part of our Plan for Change."

Technology

Nigel Farage's plan for massive benefit cuts 'already falling apart', Labour say

Reform UK's draconian plans to scrap Pip payments for people with anxiety are "already falling apart", Labour has claimed. Zia Yusuf, the party’s head of policy, has pledged a sweeping crackdown on benefits , which he says could save £9 billion a year by 2029. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday alongside Lee Anderson MP claimed only those with serious anxiety should get benefits. However, while the pair promised all appointments would be face-to-face, a policy document from Reform admitted that only the “vast majority [of] assessments are face to face.” A Labour Party spokesperson, responding to Reform’s welfare policy announcement, said: "Like all of Reform’s policies, their latest plan is already falling apart. “It’s no surprise Reform don’t seem to know what their own plan is on face-to-face assessments, given their welfare chief Lee Anderson was a cheerleader for the Tories when they slashed the number by over 90 per cent. Labour is increasing them. “This Labour Government is determined to offer young people hope and real opportunities. Our Youth Guarantee will ensure that 18 to 21-year-olds have a real chance of either learning or earning.” Speaking during the conference, Mr Yusuf had said: “The caseload for new claims for under-25s in this country on Pip have tripled in five years. “So we are betraying our young people. Reassessments are basically not happening anymore. These young people are … being basically tossed onto a scrap heap for the rest of their lives.” MP Lee Anderson, the party’s welfare spokesman, said: “The alarm clock generation is now being replaced by an anxiety generation. “A Reform UK Government would fully remove those with anxiety disorders but not serious psychiatric disorders from Pip eligibility. "This would save the Exchequer £3.2billion per annum based on last year's figures and we will also make sure that every single assessment is done face-to-face Instead of going to work, they are “staying at home all day, courtesy of taxpayer-funded employment support, loans and personal independence payments”, he said. The pledge came in a press conference that also saw Mr Anderson admit he used to “game the system” to help people get on benefits. The Ashfield MP explained: “Before I came into politics, I worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau. We used to fill the form out for clients… I can tell you now, we were gaming system.” He said it was “a competition” between the adviser and the Department for Work and Pensions . The former Tory added said he knew advisers at the organisation who had “a 100% hit rate” on benefits forms and could get “the fittest man in Ashfield” onto personal independence payment.