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.
Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport
The Government has published a new Road Safety Strategy setting out the Government’s approach to reducing death and serious injury. …
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: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.
Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to Make provision about sustainable aviation fuel.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 5th March 2026 and was enacted into law.
A bill to make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th October 2025 and was enacted into law.
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.
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).
Extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England
Gov Responded - 12 Feb 2025 Debated on - 5 Jan 2026We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
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.
The Mayor of London and Transport for London are responsible for the management of air quality on the London Underground. However, the Government remains committed to improving air quality to deliver benefits for public health, the environment, and the economy. We are committed to cleaning up our air and protecting the public from the harms of pollution by tackling air pollution across the transport network. There are currently no plans to introduce additional regulatory or statutory requirements on major public transport hubs.
The Department for Transport maintains regular and ongoing engagement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team regarding the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of legislation relating to seafarer pay. This covers the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023, the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024, and the National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020.This engagement has featured recent updates from the MCA to the Department on its enforcement approach and compliance activity undertaken so far, which have informed departmental oversight of how the legislation is being implemented across the sector, and how operators and harbour authorities are responding to their statutory responsibilities. The Department and the MCA also engage on enforcement activity covering seafarers working in UK territorial waters and, where applicable, on vessels operating between offshore oil and gas installations and UK ports. This ensures a consistent and effective enforcement framework across the relevant statutory regimes.
The Department for Business and Trade have recently published the Fair Work Agency Enforcement Policy Statement, confirming that it is responsible for enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020.
The Department for Transport maintains regular and ongoing engagement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team regarding the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of legislation relating to seafarer pay. This covers the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023, the Seafarers’ Wages Regulations 2024, and the National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020.This engagement has featured recent updates from the MCA to the Department on its enforcement approach and compliance activity undertaken so far, which have informed departmental oversight of how the legislation is being implemented across the sector, and how operators and harbour authorities are responding to their statutory responsibilities. The Department and the MCA also engage on enforcement activity covering seafarers working in UK territorial waters and, where applicable, on vessels operating between offshore oil and gas installations and UK ports. This ensures a consistent and effective enforcement framework across the relevant statutory regimes.
The Department for Business and Trade have recently published the Fair Work Agency Enforcement Policy Statement, confirming that it is responsible for enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, including the National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020.
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
The information requested is not readily available. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency officials will write to the honourable member when the information requested has been extracted and assured.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department has regular discussions with TfL on a range of issues, however, the management of air quality on the London Underground is a matter solely for them. I would suggest that you contact the Mayor and TfL directly regarding this issue.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department has regular discussions with TfL on a range of issues, however, the management of air quality on the London Underground is a matter solely for them. I would suggest that you contact the Mayor and TfL directly regarding this issue.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department has regular discussions with TfL on a range of issues, however, the management of air quality on the London Underground is a matter solely for them. I would suggest that you contact the Mayor and TfL directly regarding this issue.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department has regular discussions with TfL on a range of issues, however, the management of air quality on the London Underground is a matter solely for them. I would suggest that you contact the Mayor and TfL directly regarding this issue.
At the meeting, National Highways shared information on its proposed delivery approach and emerging design and construction methodology. BWB Consulting raised questions and outlined high‑level proposals.
National Highways committed to further engagement.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 125013.
The table below contains the prices of these railcards for each of the last 10 years (or from their introduction if this is more recent). In addition, the final column shows what the cost would be now in 2025/26 if the price had been increased by RPI cumulatively since 2016/17:
| 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | What the price would be in 25/26 if the price had been increased by cumulative RPI since 2016/17 |
Network Railcard | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
16-17 Saver | N/A | N/A | N/A | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
16-25 Railcard | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
26-30 Railcard | N/A | N/A | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
Family & Friends Railcard | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
Two Together Railcard | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
Senior Railcard | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
Disabled Persons Railcard | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £20 | £30 |
Veterans Railcard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | £21 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 | £35 | £45 |
The funding breakdown is as follows:
Autumn Budget 2024: £120 million for zero emission vehicle uptake and £200 million for charging infrastructure.
Spending Review 2025: £1.4 billion for zero emission vehicle uptake and £400 million for charging infrastructure.
Autumn Budget 2025: £1.3 billion for zero emission vehicle uptake and £200 million for charging infrastructure.
There has been no additional cost to the public purse in establishing the new DFTO sponsorship model and team. The team was formed by redeploying existing staff. This approach ensured that existing expertise and institutional knowledge were retained. Day‑to‑day engagement with DFTO on specific policy and delivery matters is led by relevant policy teams across the Department, which act as clients. This is brought together through a small central sponsorship team of three full‑time staff, which provides overall coordination and oversight.
The Government is monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including jet fuel. In coordination with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero we have worked with fuel suppliers, airlines and airports to understand levels of jet fuel and pricing.
Officials are engaging regularly with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive and keeping Ministers briefed as necessary.
The Government is monitoring the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including jet fuel. In coordination with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero we have worked with fuel suppliers, airlines and airports to understand levels of jet fuel and pricing.
Officials are engaging with international counterparts to monitor the situation and plan accordingly and are keeping Ministers briefed as necessary.
As a private company, Heathrow Airport's financing decisions are a matter for the airport. Since this is a private sector project, it is up to the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.
The economic and environmental review of Heathrow expansion is ongoing. We intend to consult on a revised Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which will include the proposed outcomes of the review, in summer this year. The review will not be complete until the final ANPS (post-consultation) is laid in Parliament, which we intend to do by the end of the year.
The Government recognises the importance of making sure that any scheme for Heathrow expansion is both deliverable and affordable. It is for potential promoters to develop plans for expansion as part of their Development Consent Order application. As the independent economic regulator for expansion, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will determine the recovery of costs incurred by potential promoters of expansion.
The Northern Growth Strategy set out the Government’s intention to ultimately deliver a full North-South new line between Birmingham and Manchester. Further work will be carried out in collaboration with local partners on what will be delivered and when, but we expect the delivery timelines for this line to follow the completion of HS2 and NPR.
When work is being undertaken, how any waste will be removed is part of Network Rail’s plan for the works and, in general, waste is removed at the end of works. At times, material will be left lineside for forthcoming works in the same area.
On occasion, it may be difficult for Network Rail to remove material at the end of works due to availability of appropriate equipment, for example a specific recovery train may be needed. Depending on the location, it may be more cost effective to leave materials lineside for some time until the required logistics can be planned. There is no specific timeframe for this, but Network Rail is aware there is value in all its materials either via reuse internally, for onward sale, or recycling, so materials will not be left lineside if cost efficient recovery is feasible. Network Rail’s track materials currently have a reuse rate of almost 80% with 19.9% recycled and less than 1% sent for recovery (generally contaminated material).
The Department has not made any such estimate. The Seafarers' Wages Act 2023 makes payment of the equivalent of National Minimum Wage a condition of port access for operators of services calling at a UK port at least 120 times a year. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for enforcement of this legislation and conducts in-person engagement and robust inspection activities with ports and operators to ensure compliance and provide regulatory assurance.
Whilst the Department cannot give exact figures, an impact assessment was published for the Act, which makes some assumptions about the number of seafarers on board different vessel types per journey in order to estimate costs to businesses, but it does not make any estimates of the total number of seafarers that would be paid the National Minimum Wage equivalent (see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62e2aa8ed3bf7f75af0923d5/seafarers-wages-impact-assessment.pdf ).
As a private company, Heathrow Airport's financing decisions are a matter for the airport. Since this is a private sector project, it is up to the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.
Funding for future rounds of the AfA programme will be considered as part of the next Spending Review. The process for identifying future projects has not yet been finalised, but we are committed to reforming the programme as we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways, ensuring it continues to deliver maximum benefit for passengers and communities
Since the Access for All (AfA) programme launched in 2006, there has been a steady increase of third party contributions from local sources, including from Section 106 agreements.
The Department remains committed to increasing the number of UK resident seafarer ratings. Work includes implementing the recommendations from the Ratings Review, modernising training and considering the findings of the recently published SMarT Review and Seafarer Projections Report.
The increased numbers of seafarers active at sea noted in the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics has been driven primarily by growth among Ratings and Uncertificated Officers. Officials will continue to review where there are opportunities to grow ratings careers.
The Department remains committed to increasing the number of UK resident seafarer ratings. Work includes implementing the recommendations from the Ratings Review, modernising training and considering the findings of the recently published SMarT Review and Seafarer Projections Report.
The increased numbers of seafarers active at sea noted in the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics has been driven primarily by growth among Ratings and Uncertificated Officers. Officials will continue to review where there are opportunities to grow ratings careers.
This Government remains committed to making ticketing simpler and more flexible for passengers. Passengers in Stockport and Greater Manchester are benefiting from simpler fares which were introduced in December 2025. Overall, the change means that the average fare in Greater Manchester fell by 5.6%.
Working with operators, Pay As You Go with contactless on rail in Manchester will arrive in December this year as part of the Bee Network expansion, initially covering 17 stations.
The Cranston Inquiry’s annual and quarterly financial reports are available on the Inquiry website. A final financial report will be published in due course.
The MCA’s UK CHP Survey Specification details the Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP)-specific requirements for conducting hydrographic surveys undertaken on behalf of the MCA, in order to deliver UK requirements and services. The Survey Specification is used in conjunction with the relevant Hydrographic Instruction in order to fully detail the requirement of the survey(s).
All vessels employed under the current CHP contracts are UK Flagged, and on the ‘White List’, a list of countries assessed by the International Maritime Organisation as properly implementing the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978 (as amended) Convention.
The Government is committed to improving local bus services for passengers and the Department for Transport welcomes the valuable insight provided by Transport Focus's 'Your Bus Journey' report, published on 25 March 2026. We were encouraged to see overall bus passenger satisfaction rising to 85%, and the report’s findings will continue to help inform the Department’s work to drive better bus services across the country.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice is currently being revised. Work on the updated Code of Practice is at an advanced stage and is undergoing legal review. Subject to the conclusion of that review, the Department for Transport expects to consult publicly on the draft updated Code later this year. We expect to publish the finalised Code in 2027.
The Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice is currently being revised. Work on the updated Code of Practice is at an advanced stage and is undergoing legal review. Subject to the conclusion of that review, the Department for Transport expects to consult publicly on the draft updated Code later this year. We expect to publish the finalised Code in 2027.
Through measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill we will implement the necessary primary legislation to allow local transport authorities to prohibit pavement parking across their areas, putting power in the hands of local leaders. Even in locations where a pavement parking prohibition does not exist, virtually all local authorities (those with designated civil parking enforcement powers) will be granted the power to tackle the worst instances of pavement parking (unnecessary obstruction), through secondary legislation introduced later this year.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gives local authorities the power to remove certain abandoned vehicles without notice. The legislation on abandoned vehicles falls within the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Department regularly engages with French counterparts on policy, including support for zero emission vehicles, and is carefully reviewing the recent (10 April) announcement of the third iteration of the French Government’s Social Leasing scheme.
The Government is reducing the upfront costs of zero emission vehicles by providing grants for zero emission cars, vans, trucks, and wheelchair accessible vehicles; this includes the £2 billion Electric Car Grant, which has already helped over 90,000 drivers to choose an electric vehicle.
Some organisations already provide their own battery health checks or guarantees to increase consumer confidence.
We will continue to engage industry on this topic, including through the consultation on updating the minimum emission standards for new road vehicles to Euro 7, launched on 13 April 2026. This includes proposals to require manufacturers to fit new EVs with accurate, accessible and comparable battery health monitors.
The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monitoring any potential impacts. The Department will continue to work with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.
The Government is aware that, despite strong growth of the used Electric Vehicle (EV) market, the residual values of some EVs have depreciated more quickly than their internal combustion engine equivalents. The used EV market is still maturing, with developments in EV technology and increasingly affordable new models putting downward pressure on used EV prices.
We are actively supporting industry-led working groups focused on the used EV market. We will continue to work with industry on this.
As of 1 January 2026, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking grant has funded 39 sockets with a grant value of £13,531. The grant funds the installation of charge points at residential properties with on-street parking if they are also installing a cross-pavement solution. This grant is in addition to the £25 million Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels Grant for local authorities.
The Government has consulted on measures to reduce planning permission requirements for cross-pavement solutions, further supporting households with on-street parking, and will be responding in due course.
The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monitoring any potential impacts. The Department will continue to work with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.
The cost of the purchase of the Class 365s in 2019 was £123.6M which was set out in the 2020 accounts of Train Fleet (2019) (“TF19”) available through Companies House (see principal activities and note 7 fixed assets).
This purchase price has been substantially recovered which can be seen through the subsequent published accounts of TF19 with only £9M remaining in the March 2025 accounts.
On 31 March 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Service Agency (DVSA) had 1,604 full-time equivalent driving examiners (DE), the highest number since 2018 and 188 more DEs than on 30 April 2025.
The table below shows the number of total completed applications DVSA received, the number of applicants invited to interview, the number of applicants invited to the driving assessment stage, applicants recruited and placed on a training course and how many applicants successfully passed training for the 10 recruitment campaigns in each of the three financial years to date:
Campaign date | Total completed applications received | No of applicants invited to interview stage | No of applicants invited to driving assessment stage after a successful interview | No of applicants recruited and placed on a training course | No of applicants that successfully passed a training course |
May-23 | 655 | 432 | 432 | 79 | 62 |
Sep-23 | 1,168 | 718 | 152 | 53 | 40 |
Feb-24 | 2,629 | 1,578 | 273 | 79 | 62 |
Jun-24 | 1,816 | 1,207 | 501 | 175 | 125 |
Sep-24 | 2,248 | 1,460 | 479 | [note 3] | [note 3] |
Mar-25 | 3,865 | 2,388 | 361 | [note 3] | [note 3] |
Jul-25 | 1,182 | 602 | 267 | [note 3] | [note 3] |
Sep-25 | 2,676 | 1,658 | 380 | [note 3] | [note 3] |
Dec-25 | 3,409 | 1,014 | 504 | [note 3] | [note 2] [note 3] |
Feb-26 | 1,141 | 777 | 388 | Ongoing campaign still at selection stage therefore no applicants yet recruited and placed on a training course | |
[note 1] - No of applicants invited to interview and driving assessment are the same as this was an assessment centre.
[note 2] - 26 applicants booked to a future training course. No applicants from this campaign have yet passed training.
[note 3] – DVSA continue to recruit from merit lists for these live recruitment campaigns. The final numbers for the recruitment campaigns shown are therefore not yet known.
For all Civil Service roles, after starting an application, an applicant must complete initial forms with their personal details and to confirm such details as to their right to work in the UK. For a DE role, there are further questions to assess eligibility for the role, including the age of the applicant, and whether they hold a driving licence. If an applicant meets the necessary eligibility requirements, they are then asked to complete a full application form for DVSA to sift and progress to interview if successful.
The M6 Lune Gorge bridge works are being undertaken to avoid future emergency interventions, such as unplanned closures or restrictions, which would have greater adverse impacts on local businesses, tourism and employment in Cumbria. These works will maintain the M6 as a safe and dependable corridor for freight, commerce and local communities for years to come.
National Highways has undertaken over 60 engagement sessions since 2023 to understand the local impact. National Highways is planning the works to minimise impact as far as possible and will continue to engage with local stakeholders to seek further mitigations where feasible.
Between 1 September 2025 and 14 April 2026, all recorded closures associated with preparatory works were partial closures only, affecting a single northbound or southbound carriageway, or lane closures. There were 18 overnight carriageway closures, each operating within a standard nine hour window (8pm – 5am), giving up to 162 hours of partial closures. In addition, lane closures from January 2026 total up to 270 hours. There were no full closures affecting both directions simultaneously during this period.
For most of the M6 Lune Gorge works, traffic, including freight, will continue to use the M6 via a contraflow arrangement, which has been assessed as providing sufficient capacity to avoid significant delays. National Highways does not anticipate significant changes to freight movements as a result.
A limited number of overnight and weekend full closures of the M6 will be required for safety reasons. For full closures between junction 38 and 39, traffic will use a fully signed diversion route via Junction 36 and the A6, A591 and A590, as agreed with relevant local highway authorities. This approach is intended to maintain connectivity between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout the works.
National Highways is currently assessing the latest proposals for temporary slip roads at M6 Junction 38 and will feedback on this in due course.
The Government keeps the motoring offences framework under review but does not currently have any plans to introduce intelligent speed assistance for those convicted of speeding offences.
We do, however, want to ensure that the motoring offences framework is fit for purpose and that is why, as part of our road our new Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January 2026, we are consulting on changes to the motoring offences.