Department for Transport

We work with our agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Mark Harper
Secretary of State for Transport

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Democratic Unionist Party
Paul Girvan (DUP - South Antrim)
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Transport)

Scottish National Party
Gavin Newlands (SNP - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Transport)

Liberal Democrat
Baroness Randerson (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Transport)

Plaid Cymru
Liz Saville Roberts (PC - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Shadow PC Spokesperson (Transport)

Labour
Louise Haigh (Lab - Sheffield, Heeley)
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport

Liberal Democrat
Wera Hobhouse (LD - Bath)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)

Labour
Lord Liddle (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Spokesperson (Transport)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Labour
Mike Kane (Lab - Wythenshawe and Sale East)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Lord Tunnicliffe (Lab - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Simon Lightwood (Lab - Wakefield)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Stephen Morgan (Lab - Portsmouth South)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Bill Esterson (Lab - Sefton Central)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Ministers of State
Huw Merriman (Con - Bexhill and Battle)
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Anthony Browne (Con - South Cambridgeshire)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Guy Opperman (Con - Hexham)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Lord Davies of Gower (Con - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Scheduled Event
Thursday 21st March 2024
09:30
Department for Transport
Oral questions - Main Chamber
21 Mar 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Transport (including Topical Questions)
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Scheduled Event
Tuesday 26th March 2024
Department for Transport
Orders and regulations - Grand Committee
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Amendment) Order 2024
View calendar
Debates
Monday 18th March 2024
Motoring Improvement Measures
Written Statements
Select Committee Docs
Wednesday 13th March 2024
09:30
Select Committee Inquiry
Friday 30th June 2023
Future of transport data

The Transport Committee is inquiring into the potential uses of data to improve planning and delivery of transport services, management …

Written Answers
Monday 18th March 2024
Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for designating a standard sign for use …
Secondary Legislation
Tuesday 12th March 2024
Merchant Shipping (Special Measures to Enhance Maritime Safety) Regulations 2024
These Regulations implement provisions of Chapter XI-1 (special measures to enhance maritime safety) in the Annex to the International Convention …
Bills
Wednesday 8th November 2023
Automated Vehicles Bill [HL] 2023-24
A Bill to regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and in other public places; and to make other …
Dept. Publications
Tuesday 19th March 2024
00:01

Department for Transport Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Feb. 08
Oral Questions
Dec. 07
Urgent Questions
Mar. 18
Written Statements
Mar. 06
Westminster Hall
Mar. 07
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Transport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Introduced: 8th November 2023

A Bill to regulate the use of automated vehicles on roads and in other public places; and to make other provision in relation to vehicle automation.

Lords Completed
Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Tuesday 5th March 2024
(Read Debate)
Next Event - Committee Stage
Tuesday 19th March 2024
Introduced: 8th November 2023

A Bill to make provision for regulating pedicabs in public places in Greater London; and for connected purposes.

Lords Completed
Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Wednesday 28th February 2024
(Read Debate)
Next Event - Committee Of The Whole House
Tuesday 26th March 2024
Introduced: 24th January 2022

A Bill to make provision for a railway between a junction with Phase 2a of High Speed 2 south of Crewe in Cheshire and Manchester Piccadilly Station; for a railway between Hoo Green in Cheshire and a junction with the West Coast Main Line at Bamfurlong, south of Wigan; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 60%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Wednesday 8th November 2023

Acts of Parliament created in the 2019 Parliament

Introduced: 6th July 2022

A Bill to make provision in relation to the remuneration of seafarers who do not qualify for the national minimum wage

This Bill received Royal Assent on 23rd March 2023 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 9th January 2020

A Bill to make provision about airspace change proposals and about the licensing regime for air traffic services under Part 1 of the Transport Act 2000, to confer police powers relating to unmanned aircraft and requirements in Air Navigation Orders and to provide for fixed penalties for certain offences relating to unmanned aircraft

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2021 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 17th July 2017

A Bill to make provision for a railway between a junction with Phase One of High Speed 2, near Fradley Wood in Staffordshire, and a junction with the West Coast Main Line near Crewe in Cheshire; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 11th February 2021 and was enacted into law.

Department for Transport - Secondary Legislation

These Regulations implement provisions of Chapter XI-1 (special measures to enhance maritime safety) in the Annex to the International Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (“the Convention”) which are not already implemented in other United Kingdom legislation.
These Regulations regulate the use of goods vehicles on journeys to, in or through the countries and territories in relation to which the United Kingdom has a relevant international agreement (within the meaning given by section 1(4) of the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018 (c. 19) (“the 2018 Act”)) relating to the transport of goods by road, and the movement of goods between two points in the EU.
View All Department for Transport Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

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Petitions with most signatures
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10,032 Signatures
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7,460 Signatures
(146 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
6,767 Signatures
(313 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
2,907 Signatures
(918 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

To not decide to scrap free travel for those who are under 18. As a teenager who has relied so much on free travel, it has allowed for me to go to school without the worry of an extra expense and explore around the beautiful city of London also. Destroying free travel would hurt so many of us.

We ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.

The Government’s modernising vehicle standards proposal suggested new offences for tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on a road. This could have a hugely detrimental impact on the UK motorsport and custom aftermarket industry.

View All Department for Transport Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Transport Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


11 Members of the Transport Committee
Iain Stewart Portrait
Iain Stewart (Conservative - Milton Keynes South)
Transport Committee Chair since 16th November 2022
Greg Smith Portrait
Greg Smith (Conservative - Buckingham)
Transport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Gavin Newlands Portrait
Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
Transport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Grahame Morris Portrait
Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Transport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Karl McCartney Portrait
Karl McCartney (Conservative - Lincoln)
Transport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Ben Bradshaw Portrait
Ben Bradshaw (Labour - Exeter)
Transport Committee Member since 22nd February 2021
Jack Brereton Portrait
Jack Brereton (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent South)
Transport Committee Member since 25th October 2022
Paul Howell Portrait
Paul Howell (Conservative - Sedgefield)
Transport Committee Member since 21st November 2022
Sara Britcliffe Portrait
Sara Britcliffe (Conservative - Hyndburn)
Transport Committee Member since 17th July 2023
Mick Whitley Portrait
Mick Whitley (Labour - Birkenhead)
Transport Committee Member since 20th November 2023
Fabian Hamilton Portrait
Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Transport Committee Member since 20th November 2023
Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
Young and novice drivers Coronavirus: implications for transport e-scooters HS2: update NATS: failure in air traffic management systems Railway network disruption over Christmas Work of the Department for Transport 2010-15 The work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Volkswagen Group emissions violations Operation Stack inquiry Vehicle type approval inquiry All lane running inquiry Surface transport to airports inquiry Road traffic law enforcement inquiry Road haulage sector: Skills and workforce planning inquiry Maritime Policy and Coastguard Modernisation inquiry The Department for Transport and rail policy Investing in the railway NATS inquiry Network Rail: update Strategic river crossings Motoring of the future Smaller airports Government motoring agencies - the user perspective Transport's winter resilience: Christmas 2013 Transport's winter resilience: rail flooding Security on the railway The cost of motor insurance: whiplash Airports Commission: Interim Report Draft National Policy Statement on National Networks Cycling safety: follow up High Speed Rail: follow up Offshore helicopter safety Access to ports Transport and the Olympics The work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Local authority parking enforcement Cost of motor insurance: whiplash Aviation Strategy Competition in the local bus market Access to transport for people with disabilities Low Carbon Vehicles Marine Pilotage Land Transport Security Road Freight Road Safety Rail 2020 Rail franchising Transport's winter resilience The Work of Network Rail Local decision making on transport spending Better roads Maritime strategy Safety at level crossings Drink & drug driving law Transport and the economy Cost of motor insurance Bus services after the Spending Review Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles Effective road and traffic management Impact on transport of adverse weather conditions Sulphur emissions by ships Cable theft on the railway Work of the DVLA and DSA Draft Civil Aviation Bill Flight time limitations Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) reform Coastguard Service Regional breakdown of public transport expenditure Cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition Passenger transport in isolated communities Cancelled Rail electrification schemes inquiry Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry Traffic Commissioners inquiry Active travel inquiry Local roads funding and governance Pre-appointment hearing on ORR inquiry Rail timetable changes inquiry BMW vehicle recall inquiry Freight and Brexit inquiry Health of the bus market inquiry Network Rail priorities inquiry Taxi and private hire reform in England inquiry HS2: update with Allan Cook inquiry Pavement parking inquiry Road Safety inquiry Trains fit for the future? inquiry The work of Highways England inquiry Williams Rail Review inquiry Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport inquiry Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State inquiry Railways: Update with the Rail Minister inquiry Road safety: young and novice drivers inquiry Road safety: mobile phones inquiry Community Transport inquiry Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) inquiry Policy priorities for the Department for Transport inquiry Aviation and Brexit inquiry Mobility as a Service inquiry Rail infrastructure investment inquiry National Drowning Prevention Strategy one-off session Transocean Winner incident and emergency towing vessels one-off session Maritime Growth Study inquiry Airspace management and modernisation inquiry Vauxhall vehicle fires one-off session Airports National Policy Statement inquiry Volkswagen emissions follow-up session Drones inquiry HS2: CH2M contract one-off session Rail compensation one-off session Rail franchising inquiry Rail technology: signalling and traffic management inquiry Improving the rail passenger experience inquiry Airport expansion in the South East inquiry Bus Services Bill inquiry Urban congestion inquiry Departmental priorities and annual report and accounts one-off session High Speed Two one-off session Rail safety inquiry Vauxhall Zafira B fires one-off session Trains fit for the future? Self-driving vehicles Accessible transport: legal obligations National Networks National Policy Statement Strategic road investment Our future transport Minimum service levels for rail Future of transport data Strategic transport objectives Active travel Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State Health of the bus market Local roads funding and governance Pavement parking Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport Railways: Update with the Rail Minister Road Safety Road safety: mobile phones Road safety: young and novice drivers Trains fit for the future? Williams Rail Review The work of Highways England

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) reporting mechanisms and (b) governance structures are in place to oversee spending on the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.

TRU is overseen by a Programme Board comprising senior DfT, Network Rail, Train Operating Companies and freight industry members, it also includes independent non-Executives and an Independent Chair to ensure robust challenge. The DfT's Senior Responsible Owner retains overall accountability for successful delivery of the project.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2024 to Question 11055 on Railway Signals: Cambridge, what his Department's timeframe is for the development of a business case for the re-signalling of Ely Junction.

The recently announced Network North programme of investment included confirmation of government’s support for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme and the substantial benefits this will bring, including a doubling of passenger services on the Ely to Kings Lynn and Ipswich to Peterborough routes together with additional freight paths into the Port of Felixstowe.

Network Rail have developed the scheme to Outline Business Case stage; next steps will involve further investment case development and delivery planning.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2024 to Question 11059 on Railways: Finance, how much was spent on rail enhancements in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022 and (e) 2023.

Rail enhancements are delivered through the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, which has spent the following in each year in CP6 (including contributions to 3rd party schemes), from 2019 (figures shown in £m, nominal):

a) 2019/20: £1,475m

b) 2020/21: £1,477m

c) 2021/22: £1,685m

d) 2022/23: £1,840m

e) 2023/24: £2,156*

* (outturn data for 2023/24 is provisional and is subject to change)

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Eurostar on reopening international rail services from Ashford since 1 January 2024.

I fully recognise the important benefits international rail services provide for the areas and communities they serve, including for the people and businesses in Kent. I last met with Eurostar in December 2023 and emphasised the UK Government’s desire to see the return of international services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford as soon as reasonably possible.

My officials have and will continue to engage regularly with Eurostar on this matter and press for the reinstatement of services at Kent stations once it is commercially viable for them to do so.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
13th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last held discussions with DP World on the operation of cross channel ferry services.

The current Secretary of State and Department for Transport Ministers have held no discussions with DP World on the operation of cross-channel ferry services. Last week, DP World and P&O Ferries notified the Department it is committed to signing the Seafarers’ Charter.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.12 of the Spring Budget 2024, HC 560, what the core level of funding for local roads was before the additional £8.3 billion was announced.

In the 2023/24 financial year, the base level of funding before the additional £8.3 billion multi-year funding uplift was announced was £1.15 billion. This included the one-off £200 million uplift announced in Budget 2023. Prior to this the 2021 Spending Review had confirmed that the core level of funding for local highway maintenance would be a total of £915 million per year, to be shared between all eligible local highway authorities in England over the period 2022/23 to 2024/25. Authorities in London and in receipt of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) are treated separately.

Funding allocations for highways maintenance can be found on GOV.UK.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for designating a standard sign for use on highways to indicate the location of electric vehicles charging stations; and whether they have any plans to initiate such a scheme.

The Department has published guidance on the design and use of a standard sign indicating the location of on-street EV charging bays, and conditions of their use, in the Traffic Signs Manual.

The Government recognises that traffic authorities must strike an appropriate balance between the provision of adequate information and over-provision of traffic signs. The Department’s guidance should help traffic authorities deliver this balance.

Best practice guidance regarding the provision of signage for EV chargepoints has also been included in Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 1899, published by the British Standards Institution in 2022.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the average timeframe for local authorities to enter into section 38 agreements from when they are first proposed.

The Department does not hold information on this matter. Local highway authorities do not have to inform the Department when they enter into agreements of this sort.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new vessels were registered with the UK Ship Register since 30 March 2022.

Based on the UK Ship Register data, from March 2022 to December 2023 (the most recent month for which data is finalised), 96 merchant and pleasure vessels, joined the UK ship Register.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2024 to Question 13143 on Roads: Safety, and with reference to the Answer of 28 February 2023 to Question 150393 on Roads: Safety, whether it remains his policy to publish an updated Road Safety Strategic Framework.

The Government is committed to road safety, and we are working on a number of measures to keep our roads and road users safe.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 27 November 2023 to Question HL240, whether he has made an assessment of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s proposal to merge the motorcycle module 1 and module 2 tests since that date.

This is an issue in the primary control of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The DVSA and Department for Transport officials met with representatives of the motorcycle sector at a Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety and licensing reform. Further discussions are ongoing.

There is a proposed round table with the Motorcycle Industry Association, and other key stakeholders, scheduled for May 2024.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2023 to Question 5 on Motorcycles: Training, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s proposals to reform compulsory basic training on (a) road safety, (b) the quality of rider training and (c) rider skill levels.

In 2017 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published its response to the Improving Motorcycle Training consultation, and committed to exploring:

  • updating the qualification process for motorcycle instructors

  • updating the content and structure of the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus

  • strengthening the quality assurance scheme for motorcycle instructors

Officials met with key representatives of the motorcycle organisations on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety. The next round table meeting, which is scheduled for 8 May 2024, will consider and explore:

  • taking forward reforms to motorcycle CBT and testing

  • the Motorcycle Industry Association's request for a wider review of licensing for L category vehicles as set out in the ‘A Net License to Zero’ proposals and action plan

  • licence reforms

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2024 to Question 11316 on Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions, what engagement his Department plans to undertake with the L-Category industry on the development of EV charging infrastructure in the next six months.

The Department has engaged extensively with the L-Category sector since the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan in July 2021 and will continue to do so to support its transition to zero emission vehicles whenever appropriate.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on tourism-related businesses of recent significant increases in fees charged by some airports for vehicles to drop off passengers, and what recent discussions they have had with representatives of the aviation industry about the transparency of the overall structure of their fees and charges.

Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and parking arrangements are subject to contractual agreements between airport operators and car parking companies covered by consumer laws.

While the Department for Transport regularly engages with airports and airport operators on a range of issues, the provision and charging of car parking at airports (including drop off and pick charges) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify and therefore no assessment has been made on any impact on fees charged by airports for vehicles to drop off passengers.

However, the Department expects car parking and drop off charges at airports to be managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many shipping companies have signed the Seafarers Charter.

The Seafarers’ Charter was introduced to improve working conditions for seafarers aboard ferries operating internationally from UK ports. Four major international ferry operators have signed up to working towards the requirements of the Seafarers’ Charter: Brittany Ferries, Condor Ferries, DFDS and Stena Line.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an estimate of the number of seafarers employed on P&O Ferries’ vessels working from UK ports.

The Department for Transport published estimates of the number of seafarers in the UK shipping industry online, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seafarers-in-the-uk-shipping-industry-2023.

One of the sources for this report is a seafarer employment survey run by the UK Chamber of Shipping of their membership, which P&O Ferries are part of. Due to commercial sensitivity, we cannot provide specific company breakdowns from this data. We are also unable to estimate the number of seafarers employed on P&O Ferries’ working from UK ports.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prepare for the enforcement of the Seafarers Wages Act 2023.

The Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 received Royal Assent in March 2023. There are offences under the Act for operators providing a false and misleading declaration, operating a service inconsistently with a declaration, harbour authorities not complying with their duties under the Act, and for harbour authorities and operators who do not provide information when requested under the Act. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be responsible for enforcement of these offences and has powers of inspection under the Act to allow them to investigate.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve safety on the A483 in Shropshire.

As referenced in PMQs on October 25 2023, National Highways is conducting extensive study work to understand how the safety performance of the A483 in Shropshire can be improved through a detailed route optimisation study. These proposals will be considered alongside other potential small-scale future targeted safety enhancements to the route as part of RIS3 (2025-2030). At this stage, a more substantive upgrade of the A483 between Pant and Llanymynech remains in the RIS Pipeline of schemes being considered for possible delivery beyond 2030.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure safety improvements are prioritised during decision making about road investments.

The Government is investing £24 billion on the Strategic Road Network during the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2 - 2020-2025) to fund the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the network. Safety is a key consideration National Highways takes into account across all its activity and much of this investment aims to improve safety across the network for all road users. A specific Safety and Congestion Fund is in place as part of National Highways’ Designated Funds programme, this delivers safety improvements on specific high-risk roads, accident-cluster locations and potential suicide-cluster areas.

National Highways also has a Key Performance Indicator for RIS2 with a target of reducing those killed or seriously injured on the Strategic Road Network by 50% compared to the 2005-2009 baseline average. The Department for Transport and the Office of Rail and Road, in its capacity of Highways Monitor, hold National Highways to account for delivery against this performance indicator and work collectively to ensure appropriate action plans are in place to maximise safety on the network.

Improving road safety is one of six key objectives in developing the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). The level of ambition within the Performance Specification and focus of the Investment Plan are the key levers through which this objective will be supported.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Sikorsky-92 model helicopters have been licensed to operate in the UK offshore energy sector in each year since 2013.

As of 1 March 2024, there are 26 Sikorsky-92 aircraft licensed to operate in the UK oil and gas offshore sector, with their status being either ‘in service’ or ‘in storage’. Data for previous years has been taken as a snapshot as at 1 March for consistency: 29 (2023), 32 (2022), 29 (2021), 37 (2020), 36 (2019), 38 (2018), 43 (2017), 35 (2016), 32 (2015), 22 (2014) and 17 (2013).

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with Nissan following its decision to withdraw app support for older Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles.

DfT Ministers regularly discuss a range of issues with automotive manufacturers, including Nissan. However, the Government is not able to comment on individual business matters.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the bi-mode trains on air quality in (a) Nottingham Railway station and (b) the surrounding area.

East Midlands Railway is replacing its diesel-only Class 222 trains with bi-mode Class 810s as part of the East Midlands franchise award. These new bi-mode trains will gradually be introduced into service starting in early 2025 and are anticipated to significantly reduce air pollution emissions at Nottingham station and in the surrounding areas. The impact of these changes will be monitored by the Department for Transport's £4.5 million Air Quality Monitoring Network, which measures air pollution at selected stations across Great Britain, including Nottingham Station.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport during the Second Reading of the Pedicabs (London) Bill [Lords] of 28 February 2024, Official Report, column 398, if he will publish the outline of a potential licencing framework for pedicabs provided by Transport for London in January 2022.

Subject to its parliamentary passage, the Pedicabs (London) Bill will confer powers onto Transport for London (TfL) to regulate London’s pedicab industry.

It will be the responsibility of TfL to design and implement a regulatory regime. However, TfL will be required to conduct a consultation prior to bringing regulations forward, and Government expects this consultation would include details of the proposed licensing framework.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Extra protections for seafarers as government introduces new maritime laws, published on 30 March 2022, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of those new laws on the crewing model operated in the short sea ferry sector by (a) P&O Ferries and (b) other operators.

The Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 received Royal Assent in March 2023. The Act makes access to UK ports for services calling at a UK port at least 120 times a year conditional on payment of the equivalent of the UK National Minimum Wage.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the conditions of employment for agency crew working on P&O Ferries’ international fleet from UK ports.

We expect all operators to, at a minimum, comply with the relevant international standards for seafarer working conditions, and we inspect compliance with these during periodic vessel inspections. We continue to work internationally to improve working conditions for seafarers.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much reallocated HS2 funding has been given to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for road resurfacing.

Over the period 2023/24 to 2033/34 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will receive at least £18.9 million of reallocated HS2 funding for highways maintenance, including road resurfacing.

As I’ve previously set out, Network North will see every penny of the £19.8 billion committed to the Northern leg of HS2 reinvested in the North. Every penny of the £9.6 billion committed to the Midlands leg will be reinvested in the Midlands. The £6.5 billion saved through our rescoped approach at Euston will be spread across every other region in the country – and it is from this pot that this funding comes.

In line with the published allocations, the Department for Transport has paid £604,000 of this to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council this financial year; the Council will receive the same amount in 2024/25. Future allocations are a matter for the next Spending Review.

This information, as with all highway maintenance funding allocations, is published on GOV.UK.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many projects that reduce speed limits on parts of the Strategic Road Network have been granted funding as part of the Road Investment Strategy 2.

The Department does not hold this information in the format requested.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government response to the Fifth Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2022–23 on Maritime 2050: objectives, implementation and effects, published on 24 May 2023, what his planned timetable is for the Maritime Council to produce its report nine-point plan for seafarers’ protections.

A report into the outcome of the plan would need a period of time to pass to allow for a full assessment. The Department would expect it to be incorporated into the annual report that will be published by the new Maritime Council, which is still in its first year.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on the (a) planning and (b) programming for the electrification of the Midland Main Line to Nottingham.

Work is already underway to electrify the Midland Main Line (MML) with progress being made to install overhead line equipment between Kettering and Wigston, as well as upgrades south of Bedford to be completed in 2025. During 2024 Network Rail are continuing currently funded design and pre-construction between Wigston Junction north towards Trent Junction, a further 28.4 miles (45.7 route kilometres) of electrification on the MML. Recent plans from Network Rail indicate that electrification of the Midlands Main Line route to Sheffield and Nottingham could be completed in the early 2030s.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to make a decision on the allocation of grant funding for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass programme.

This is being considered and a decision will be issued shortly.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Irish Sea ferry services operators have signed the Seafarers Charter; and what progress his Department has made on reaching a bilateral agreement with the Irish Government on seafarer welfare standards on ferry services operating between the UK and Ireland.

Stena Line has committed to the Seafarers’ Charter. My Department has regular discussions with the Irish Government about co-operation on seafarer welfare.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government response to the Fifth Report of the Transport Committee of Session 2022–23 on Maritime 2050: objectives, implementation and effects, published on 24 May 2023, what progress he has made on negotiations with the Spanish Government on practices concerning conditions for seafarers on board third country flagged ships operating regular shipping routes between ports in Spain and the UK.

On 7 July 2023, the UK and Spain signed a Memorandum of Understanding on conditions for seafarers aboard third-country flagged vessels in which we agreed to examine how we could cooperate and consider the impact of existing and new measures.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2024 to Question 16465 on Driving Tests: Waiting Lists, what the average waiting time was for a driving test from DVSA in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) each region and (d) each driving centre in March 2022.

The attached spreadsheet PQ 17731 shows the average waiting time in March 2023 for a car practical driving test, broken down by:

  • Great Britain
  • England
  • each region/zone
  • each driving centre

The attached spreadsheet PQ 17730 shows the average waiting time in March 2022 for a car practical driving test, broken down by:

  • Great Britain
  • England
  • each region/zone
  • each driving centre
Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2024 to Question 16465 on Driving Tests: Waiting Lists, what the average waiting time was for a driving test from DVSA in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) each region and (d) each driving centre in March 2023.

The attached spreadsheet PQ 17731 shows the average waiting time in March 2023 for a car practical driving test, broken down by:

  • Great Britain
  • England
  • each region/zone
  • each driving centre

The attached spreadsheet PQ 17730 shows the average waiting time in March 2022 for a car practical driving test, broken down by:

  • Great Britain
  • England
  • each region/zone
  • each driving centre
Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) their announcement on 29 June 2022 about the creation of the Road Safety Investigation Branch, and (2) the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 7 March (HL2831), whether they will now answer the question put; namely, what progress they have made in setting up the Road Safety Investigation Branch.

The Government is using the Automated Vehicles Bill to enable the creation of a capability within my department to investigate safety incidents involving at least one self-driving vehicle. Further development of this will be dependent on the availability of legislative time in future parliaments.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle licence plate cloning.

The Department for Transport understands how distressing this criminal activity can be for innocent motorists. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime.

The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the DVLA. It is a legal requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied.

The DVLA assist the police and Trading Standards in their enforcement against number plate suppliers who trade illegally. When notified, the DVLA will investigate and pass on intelligence to the police who are responsible for investigating this criminal matter.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2024 to Question 16450, how many of the 1.14 million blue badges issued between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 were the result of new applications.

Data on the number of blue badges issued as a result of new applications over that time period is not available.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on implementing his Department's policy document entitled Options for addressing the cost of pilot training, published on 31 May 2023.

The Government is aware that the high cost of training to become a commercial airline pilot can be a significant barrier to many young people seeking to pursue a career as a pilot. The Generation Aviation programme sees Government work with industry and outreach partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and remove barriers to access so the sector can build a workforce fit for the future.

As part of this, the Department commissioned independent research to help both Government and industry understand options for addressing the high cost of pilot training in the UK. The research, published in May 2023, found that there is a possibility that the future supply of commercial pilots will not meet demand in the UK. It made recommendations about alternative funding approaches and about addressing other costs for new pilots.

Since publication, the DfT has worked closely with industry to consider next steps. Airlines have a crucial role to play in reducing the financial barriers to becoming a pilot and we applaud the airline carriers who have recently launched funding options/sponsored pathways and cadetships.

Employers in the sector have already developed a First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) standard to support the industry to develop the skills it needs and to help it widen access to the profession. The Department for Transport and Department for Education (DfE) are working with the sector to ensure that suitable training provision is available and to support the sector to make use of the apprenticeship. My department plans to host an industry event to discuss this in more detail next week.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to launch a support scheme for pilot training.

The Government is aware that the high cost of training to become a commercial airline pilot can be a significant barrier to many young people seeking to pursue a career as a pilot. The Generation Aviation programme sees Government work with industry and outreach partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and remove barriers to access so the sector can build a workforce fit for the future.

As part of this, the Department commissioned independent research to help both Government and industry understand options for addressing the high cost of pilot training in the UK. The research, published in May 2023, found that there is a possibility that the future supply of commercial pilots will not meet demand in the UK. It made recommendations about alternative funding approaches and about addressing other costs for new pilots.

Since publication, the DfT has worked closely with industry to consider next steps. Airlines have a crucial role to play in reducing the financial barriers to becoming a pilot and we applaud the airline carriers who have recently launched funding options/sponsored pathways and cadetships.

Employers in the sector have already developed a First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) standard to support the industry to develop the skills it needs and to help it widen access to the profession. The Department for Transport and Department for Education (DfE) are working with the sector to ensure that suitable training provision is available and to support the sector to make use of the apprenticeship. My department plans to host an industry event to discuss this in more detail next week.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to introduce a Government-backed loan for pilot training.

The Government is aware that the high cost of training to become a commercial airline pilot can be a significant barrier to many young people seeking to pursue a career as a pilot. The Generation Aviation programme sees Government work with industry and outreach partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and remove barriers to access so the sector can build a workforce fit for the future.

As part of this, the Department commissioned independent research to help both Government and industry understand options for addressing the high cost of pilot training in the UK. The research, published in May 2023, found that there is a possibility that the future supply of commercial pilots will not meet demand in the UK. It made recommendations about alternative funding approaches and about addressing other costs for new pilots.

Since publication, the DfT has worked closely with industry to consider next steps. Airlines have a crucial role to play in reducing the financial barriers to becoming a pilot and we applaud the airline carriers who have recently launched funding options/sponsored pathways and cadetships.

Employers in the sector have already developed a First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) standard to support the industry to develop the skills it needs and to help it widen access to the profession. The Department for Transport and Department for Education (DfE) are working with the sector to ensure that suitable training provision is available and to support the sector to make use of the apprenticeship. My department plans to host an industry event to discuss this in more detail next week.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support people who are training to be pilots.

The Government is aware that the high cost of training to become a commercial airline pilot can be a significant barrier to many young people seeking to pursue a career as a pilot. The Generation Aviation programme sees Government work with industry and outreach partners to raise the profile of aviation careers and remove barriers to access so the sector can build a workforce fit for the future.

As part of this, the Department commissioned independent research to help both Government and industry understand options for addressing the high cost of pilot training in the UK. The research, published in May 2023, found that there is a possibility that the future supply of commercial pilots will not meet demand in the UK. It made recommendations about alternative funding approaches and about addressing other costs for new pilots.

Since publication, the DfT has worked closely with industry to consider next steps. Airlines have a crucial role to play in reducing the financial barriers to becoming a pilot and we applaud the airline carriers who have recently launched funding options/sponsored pathways and cadetships.

Employers in the sector have already developed a First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) standard to support the industry to develop the skills it needs and to help it widen access to the profession. The Department for Transport and Department for Education (DfE) are working with the sector to ensure that suitable training provision is available and to support the sector to make use of the apprenticeship. My department plans to host an industry event to discuss this in more detail next week.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.

The Ministerial Code also states, at paragraph 2.13: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority.” Paragraph 2.13 covers whether a minister has notified the Law Officers of a personal role in litigation.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the document entitled Draft terms of reference for the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, what updates his Department has provided on relevant developments in its area of work to that group since 2019.

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities over a range of issues. More broadly, I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 1 March 2024, Official Report, PQ 16019 on tackling anti-Muslim hatred.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants in his Department have a criminal conviction.

All employees of the Department are subject to appropriate levels of pre-employment checks and/or security clearance. As you will be aware, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 allows certain eligible convictions or cautions to become “spent” after a specified period of time.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to respond to Question 15694 on Department for Transport: DP World and P&O Ferries ,tabled by the Hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley on 26 February 2024 for answer on 29 February 2024.

A response to PQ 15694 was provided on 8 March 2024.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help increase safety at regional airports.

Most airport operators are either in the commercial private sector or are public/private partnerships which operate commercially. As such, it is for airports to ensure they adhere to regulations and standards relating to safety and security.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issues either an aerodrome licence or aerodrome certificate to regional aerodromes on the basis that the aerodrome, and its operation, meets the licencing/certification criteria. The CAA establishes an oversight programme for each licensed/certificated aerodrome in which the continued compliance with the regulatory requirements is verified. Additionally, the aerodrome operator is required to have a safety management system, the effectiveness of which falls within the scope of the CAA oversight Programme. These UK regulations are developed and implemented to adhere to and go beyond the minimum international safety Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 14 February (HL2349), in what form the information on vessel transponders is collected; and where is it published.

The Government does not routinely collect information on vessel transponders.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with (a) the Department for Health and Social Care, (b) the Northern Ireland Office, (c) the Scotland Office and (d) the Wales Office on providing financial support for (i) cancer patients aged up to 25 and (ii) their families undertaking cross-border travel within the UK to receive treatment.

Ministers from the Department for Transport have not engaged with the Department for Health and Social Care or the Territorial Offices listed on the two matters listed above.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made a recent assessment of the (a) resilience and (b) safety of helicopter transport operations in the North Sea.

The Government is committed to ensuring that North Sea helicopter flying is as safe as possible. In 2014, the CAA published a comprehensive review of the safety of offshore helicopter operations. The Review examined the risks to helicopter operations to support the oil and gas industries in and around the North Sea. It identified a wide range of opportunities to improve the safety of those operations and to increase the chances of passengers and crew surviving an accident.

As the UK’s aviation safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) continues to monitor all aspects of the operations of offshore helicopter companies and any risks to safe operation through its ongoing programme of safety oversight - which includes implementation of the review findings and monitoring data from operators.


It is the role of the CAA as the independent regulator to collect safety data, it is not for the Department to do so.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)