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
Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Paul Kohler (LD - Wimbledon)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)
Conservative
Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington)Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Moylan (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Transport)
Jerome Mayhew (Con - Broadland and Fakenham)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Ministers of State
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Lilian Greenwood (Lab - Nottingham South)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Mike Kane (Lab - Wythenshawe and Sale East)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Simon Lightwood (LAB - Wakefield and Rothwell)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
09:00
The Transport Committee is examining investment pipelines for the railway.
This inquiry will examine how a planned, steady pipeline …
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's timeline is for making autonomous vehicles commercially available for …
These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/42) (“the 2019 Regulations”) to implement amendments …
A bill to make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
12:09
News and Communications
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
Bills currently before Parliament
Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th November 2024 and was enacted into law.
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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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
Transport Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee: Upcoming Events
29 Jan 2025, 9:15 a.m.
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Transport Committee - Oral evidence
Work of Active Travel England
29 Jan 2025, 9:15 a.m.
At 9:15am: Oral evidence
Chris Boardman MBE - National Active Travel Commissioner at Active Travel England
Graham Grant - Deputy Chief Executive at Active Travel England
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Transport Committee - Private Meeting
4 Feb 2025, 4 p.m.
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Transport Committee: 12 Current Inquiries
Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.
The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, highlighting the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The campaign targeted men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over, and who are over-represented in drink drive casualties. Paid advertising ran across social media, online video and gaming sites, radio and podcasts. The campaign also featured roadside advertising near to pubs and bars and posters and beermats in venues across England and Wales.
THINK! also joined forces with industry to launch THINK! 0%, encouraging drivers to always opt for alcohol-free options when getting behind the wheel via timely reminders at the point of purchase, and worked with police forces to support national drink and drug driving enforcement activity in the lead up to Christmas.
The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and other rural areas, is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.
The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, highlighting the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The campaign targeted men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over, and who are over-represented in drink drive casualties. Paid advertising ran across social media, online video and gaming sites, radio and podcasts. The campaign also featured roadside advertising near to pubs and bars and posters and beermats in venues across England and Wales.
THINK! also joined forces with industry to launch THINK! 0%, encouraging drivers to always opt for alcohol-free options when getting behind the wheel via timely reminders at the point of purchase, and worked with police forces to support national drink and drug driving enforcement activity in the lead up to Christmas.
The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and other rural areas, is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport follows the legislation on Statutory Ordinary Paternity/Partner Support Leave, which requires employees to have at least 26 weeks’ qualifying service to be entitled to such leave. The Department exceeds statutory requirements by providing full pay for such leave.
As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our road’s presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027.
We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We are currently considering policy options, including possible changes to motoring offences.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As acknowledged in the statement made on 18 December 2024 about car practical driving test waiting times, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the potential impact high waiting times have on learner drivers, including younger drivers.
In the same statement, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners and improving rules for booking driving tests.
For practical driving test candidates, DVSA is still offering the Mobile Emergency Worker (MEW) process for those in critical roles. The process, which was implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, is only for candidates who are a critical worker in England or Wales and work for one of the following:
- the NHS - in health or social care
- the emergency services
- a local council
They must also:
- need to drive as part of their job (commuting not included)
- respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job
DVSA has shared the MEW application process with all applicable emergency organisations. Candidates who meet this eligibility criteria and want a test, should talk to their employer, who will need to apply on their employee’s behalf.
DVSA is committed to providing customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate, including in rural areas, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As acknowledged in the statement made on 18 December 2024 about car practical driving test waiting times, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the potential impact high waiting times have on learner drivers, including younger drivers.
In the same statement, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners and improving rules for booking driving tests.
For practical driving test candidates, DVSA is still offering the Mobile Emergency Worker (MEW) process for those in critical roles. The process, which was implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, is only for candidates who are a critical worker in England or Wales and work for one of the following:
- the NHS - in health or social care
- the emergency services
- a local council
They must also:
- need to drive as part of their job (commuting not included)
- respond to ‘threats to life’ as part of their job
DVSA has shared the MEW application process with all applicable emergency organisations. Candidates who meet this eligibility criteria and want a test, should talk to their employer, who will need to apply on their employee’s behalf.
DVSA is committed to providing customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate, including in rural areas, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport follows the legislation on Shared Parental Leave, which requires employees to have at least 26 weeks’ qualifying service to be entitled to such leave. The Department exceeds statutory requirements by providing enhanced pay for such leave.
As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Alison Griffiths
(Conservative - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
The Department for Transport employs robust policies to ensure that the dismissal of any employee, including new employees serving a period of probation, is fair and legally compliant.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of the Government’s passenger-focused approach and we will work to deliver a more reliable and consistent customer experience for everyone with accessibility needs.
Level boarding is an important factor, and the procurement of new trains will need to take account of allowing passengers to board and alight with ease.
At present, new, renewed or upgraded platforms at train stations in Great Britain are required to meet a nominal height of 915mm, as mandated by the National Technical Specification Notices and National Technical Rules for the interoperability of the GB railway.
There is no current plan to change these mandatory platform heights requirements for stations on the conventional mainline railway, but the Department keeps all rail interoperability requirements under review.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has responded to the Determination following the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Xander Irvine. This response can be viewed in full at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/fatal-accident-inquiries/fatal-accident-inquiries-and-determinations/fai-alexander-irvine-response/.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department welcomes the findings of this research and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Transport has not received representations from Macquarie Group relating to increasing the number of flights to and from UK airports.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No assessment has been made. However, the Manchester Taskforce has identified a number of infrastructure constraints impacting on the operational deliverability of additional direct services to Manchester Airport, including services that previously operated.
Whilst longer term plans are being developed, work continues on improving the passenger experience for those having to change trains.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.
We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares and ticketing system to deliver simpler, easier and more flexible ways to travel and will expand ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go in urban areas across the country.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Any proposal for change to the existing planning cap on air traffic movements at Heathrow airport would need to form part of a relevant planning application.
There is currently no live Development Consent Order application from Heathrow Airport.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As required by the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State will review the Airports National Policy Statement when she considers it appropriate to do so.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State recently wrote to the Chair of the ORR to set out her expectations for the future of Open Access. She was clear on the benefits that Open Access can bring, but equally that balance must be struck between passenger benefits and impacts upon taxpayers and network performance. This does not represent a ‘restriction’ on Open Access, but rather that it is important to ensure that this balance is applied when ORR undertakes its statutory duties in relation to each application. We remain committed to a role for Open Access where it provides benefits for both passengers and taxpayers.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The percentage of trains cancelled on the London Euston - Leighton Buzzard route over the last six months was approximately four per cent. Cancellations were higher on Mondays at six per cent, 235 trains cancelled out of 3653, and lower on Tuesdays and Thursdays at two per cent of direct trains on this route.
Based on the time of the day, most cancellations happened between 12:00-15:00. Proportionally, the highest percentage of cancellations happened after midnight, with three of trains cancelled.
If an operator delivers consistently poor performance, the Department can intervene to act in passengers’ best interests. We will continue to press West Midlands Trains to run the most reliable service possible.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A copy of the Remedial Agreement letter between the Secretary of State and XC Trains Limited, dated 9 August 2024, has been published on the GOV.UK website. The Remedial Agreement between the Secretary of State and XC Trains Limited runs from August 2024 to March 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The safety of passengers and rail staff on the network is a priority for the Department and the rail industry, including the British Transport Police (BTP).
We will continue to work with BTP and the rail industry to consider how best to deploy their available budget in the coming financial year to ensure the safety of those on the rail network. It is important to stress that no final decisions have yet been made.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The cross-Government Motor Insurance Taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024. The Government will provide updates on the Taskforce’s work in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to enabling local highway authorities to maintain and renew their local highway networks, including the footways that make up such an essential part of them. The Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance at Budget 2024 for the 2025/26 financial year, which, for most authorities including East Sussex County Council, will mean an increase of nearly 40% compared to the current financial year. The funding is for all parts of the highway network, including footways, and it is up to each authority to determine how the funding is spent. The Government encourages local highway authorities to consider the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, when planning their highway maintenance programmes.
As well as the big uplift in maintenance funding, the Government has also announced an extra £100 million investment in active travel infrastructure next year, which will allow local authorities to improve footways in their areas. Further details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced shortly.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The research started in October last year and is being carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). There are no plans to publish the Terms of Reference for the research, but further details can be found on the TRL website.
https://www.trl.co.uk/news/trl-works-with-dft-to-understand-more-about-the-causes-of-glare
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My department does not have the data available to make a detailed assessment of the costs of congestion from overrunning works. If works do overrun, local authorities are able to impose charges of up to £10,000 per day to cover the costs of congestion. We have recently announced that these charges will also be applied to overruns at weekends and on bank holidays to reduce congestion and disruption during these times.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There is currently no live Development Consent Order application from Heathrow Airport.
The Government would carefully consider any planning application in line with the relevant planning processes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Responsibility for new self-driving vehicle regulatory processes will be aligned with the Department for Transport’s executive agencies’ existing responsibilities for conventional vehicles, ensuring effective use of their expertise around vehicles regulation.
As part of the Department’s preparations for implementing the future automated vehicles (AVs) regulatory framework, we are also examining what new skills will be required for the regulation of AVs. This includes considerations of skills around artificial intelligence, vehicle safety, and data expertise among other areas.
The Department for Transport also works with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to understand best practice skills development across other future technology sectors.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
DfT expects airports, including Heathrow, to work closely with local stakeholders and Government to develop and update their masterplans and surface access strategies every five years.
Improvements to surface access to airports are generally funded by the airports themselves.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There is currently no live Development Consent Order from Heathrow Airport.
The Government would carefully consider any application for expansion at Heathrow Airport in line with the relevant planning processes.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Chi Onwurah
(Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West)
The Department for Transport supported the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including providing contributions on the policy intentions for the deployment of self-driving vehicles. The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, a joint unit between the Department for Transport and Department for Business and Trade, works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help realise the UK’s full potential as an AI superpower.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Over the last year the Department’s Roads and Local Investment Committee has considered a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Transport for London’s (TfL) Catford Town Centre road scheme, which would include the realignment of part of the A205 South Circular. The scheme is being progressed by TfL for possible funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme. The Department’s decision on whether to approve the SOC will be issued in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping people with a long-term disability, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria.
The Department has issued local authorities with advice on how they could use existing powers to provide locally determined parking concessions within their areas. For example, some local authorities grant parking concessions to assist their elderly residents. The same powers could be used to help those with temporary disabilities.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
No estimate has been made of the cost of consultancy by my department used during negotiation and implementation of new cross-border transport arrangements with the EU since January 2020.
Since the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement came into effect on 31st January 2020, and subsequent application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement from 1 January 2021, there has been an extensive programme of work across numerous government departments to facilitate implementation of our new relationship with the EU and ensure the continued flow of people and goods.
Most cross-border impacts of EU Exit for transport relate to border checks such as immigration controls, checks on goods and security arrangements on which other departments lead. The National Audit Office has produced a number of reports on EU Exit preparations including one on borders last year: The UK border: Implementing an effective trade border - NAO report.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has no intention of requiring cyclists, including those who ride Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, to display number plates or to have insurance. This would require a national registration scheme for all cycles which would be complex and expensive to design and administer. It would also be likely to lead to a significant reduction in the number of people cycling, which would have negative health and environmental consequences. The Government believes that insurance for cycling should remain a matter of personal choice. Cyclists who are not insured are liable for the consequences of their actions should these result in injury or damages to others.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The legislation which introduced E10 across Britain in September 2021 is the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) and the Biofuel (Labelling) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021.
The impact assessment accompanying these regulations estimates that moving from E5 to E10 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 .8%, saving around 750,000 tonnes of CO2 per year from petrol vehicles. Ethanol contains less energy than fossil petrol and so increasing the ethanol content of petrol increases fuel consumption. The impact assessment estimates E10 will decrease the energy content of petrol by 1.7% compared to E5 and assumes fuel consumption will increase by that amount.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The consultation on the proposed UK Airspace Design Service has now closed. The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority are carefully considering the responses received to help inform the next stages of this project. The Government will set out its plans and the next steps later in 2025.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Airspace Modernisation Strategy sets out the overarching approach through nine elements that will modernise aircraft-based navigation and airspace management. The Strategy aligns with International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Air Navigation Plan to ensure interoperability with neighbouring countries.
Parts 1 and 2 of the refreshed Strategy were published in January 2023 and set out strategic objectives and delivery elements. Part 3, which focuses on the deployment of the design elements, was published in July 2024 and outlines the delivery plans over the next 2 plus 5 years, and a new iteration will be published annually in line with the CAA’s Annual Report.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The findings of this work have been presented to all the Local Transport Authorities along the proposed route, Transport for the North, and the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) campaign group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) network of theory test centres is designed to ensure that candidates across Great Britain are within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a theory test centre.
In 2021 the new theory test service increased the number of Great Britain test centres from 180 to 203. As a result, 100% of the population, are now within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a test centre, compared to 97% previously. This means DVSA has equitable service provision across Great Britain and has made significant improvements to that provision in remote areas.
DVSA carefully monitors test availability with its suppliers to continually review demand and increase capacity where possible and necessary.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to PQ [UIN 23039] on 17 January 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Inaugural Jet Zero Taskforce Plenary took place on 4 December 2024 chaired by the Secretary of State for Transport. Members discussed the Taskforce Terms of Reference and priorities for 2025. Meeting minutes will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, by strengthening pedestrian priority on pavements and at crossings and introducing the Hierarchy of Road Users, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision, at the top of the hierarchy. The Highway Code makes it clear that those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others, and highlights the need to take care and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians.
The Department has awarded local authorities £185.8 million of funding between 2017 and 2024 through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of England's most high risk 'A' roads. To date, it has funded 445.3 miles of rural roads which make up 62.4% of all funded routes.
Additionally, Active Travel England works with rural authorities to provide funding and to support the delivery of high-quality walking and cycling schemes, including segregated cycle lanes and junction improvements. This includes training for local authority staff, as well as design workshops and design assurance reviews of schemes under development.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In spring 2022 the Department held a call for evidence about the decarbonisation of coaches, alongside a consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses. An end of sale date has not been set for coaches.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The taskforce is supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector. The Government is committed to tackling high costs as part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards across Britain and we will provide updates on the taskforce’s work in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. Essex County Council, as a local highway authority, is responsible for the condition and maintenance of its local road network.
The Government has a manifesto commitment to enable local highway authorities to fix up to a million extra potholes a year. As announced on 20 December 2024, the Government has allocated Essex County Council £45.8 million during 2025/26 to help them carry out their local highway maintenance responsibilities. This is an increase of around 36% over the current financial year and includes a share of the additional £500 million announced in Budget 2024. It is Essex County Council’s responsibility to decide how that funding is used, based on local needs and priorities.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties. The specific areas of responsibility of the Port of Tyne, and other parties, for navigational purposes and the Swing Bridge will be set out in the relevant local harbours act, or other local agreements. The specifics of these will be best understood and discussed with the Port of Tyne itself.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As of 1 January, there are over 73,000 public charging devices installed throughout the UK. In the past year, nearly 20,000 charging devices were added, making it a record-breaking year. This progress was recognised in a report published by the National Audit Office on 13th December 2024 which outlined that chargepoint roll out in the UK is on track to meet forecast demand out to 2030.
The fast pace of rollout is set to continue, with the Government’s £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund alone delivering over 100,000 public chargepoints across England over the next few years.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)