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
Wednesday 6th December 2023
Department for Transport
Orders and regulations - Main Chamber
Draft Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 and associated regret motion
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Scheduled Event
Wednesday 6th December 2023
16:15
Department for Transport
Orders and regulations - Grand Committee
6 Dec 2023, 4:15 p.m.
Draft Aviation (Consumer) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
View calendar
Scheduled Event
Monday 11th December 2023
15:45
Department for Transport
Legislation - Grand Committee
11 Dec 2023, 3:45 p.m.
Pedicabs (London) Bill - committee stage
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Scheduled Event
Thursday 14th December 2023
09:30
Department for Transport
Oral questions - Main Chamber
14 Dec 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Transport (including Topical Questions)
Save to Calendar
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Debates
Thursday 30th November 2023
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 4th December 2023
Carnival: Conditions of Employment
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) …
Secondary Legislation
Friday 24th November 2023
Car, Van and Heavy Duty Vehicle Carbon Dioxide Emissions Performance Standards (Civil Penalties and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023
These Regulations make provision for the issue of civil penalty notices in relation to fines imposed under Regulation (EU) 2018/956 …
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
Monday 4th December 2023
09:30

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
Oct. 26
Oral Questions
Sep. 19
Urgent Questions
Nov. 22
Westminster Hall
Nov. 14
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Transport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

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
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 - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Tuesday 28th November 2023
(Read Debate)
Introduced: 8th November 2023

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

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Wednesday 22nd November 2023
(Read Debate)
Next Event - Committee Stage
Monday 11th December 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 make provision for the issue of civil penalty notices in relation to fines imposed under Regulation (EU) 2018/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions from and fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles (“Regulation (EU) 2018/956”), and excess CO2 emissions premiums imposed under Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles.
These Regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1609) and the Merchant Shipping (Small Workboats and Pilot Boats) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/354).
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).

Trending Petitions
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4,874 Signatures
(465 in the last 7 days)
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(210 in the last 7 days)
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3,476 Signatures
(185 in the last 7 days)
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644 Signatures
(166 in the last 7 days)
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21,567 Signatures
(155 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
95,340 Signatures
(138 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
21,567 Signatures
(155 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
7,108 Signatures
(210 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
5,427 Signatures
(9 in the last 7 days)
Petition Open
4,874 Signatures
(465 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

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.

The Government should class in-person interaction with family members and unmarried partners abroad as an essential reason to travel.

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

28th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) Carnival UK on proposed changes to employment contracts at Carnival UK.

The Minister for Maritime met with the President of Carnival UK & P&O Cruises on 24 November 2023 to discuss Carnival UK’s ongoing negotiations with Nautilus International and its seafarers as part of its annual pay review. Carnival UK confirmed that it had no intention to dismiss and re-engage its workers.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 November 2023 to Question 800 on East Coast Main Line: Weather, how many signalling failures there were on the East Coast Main Line in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022; and what assessment he has made of trends in the (i) number and (ii) frequency of signalling failures on the East Coast Main Line since 2010.

The average time between Service Affecting Failures on the ECML has become less frequent since 2010 and is trending downwards. I can confirm there were 312 signalling failures in 2021/22, and 247 in 2022/23.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of the report Getting the measure of transport poverty, published by the Social Market Foundation on 15 November, that investment in public transport is more beneficial to alleviating transport poverty than lowering the cost of driving.

The government has consistently invested in public transport, including through the most recent announcement of £150 million dedicated to levelling up bus services, with areas across the North and Midlands given extra support for services to become more frequent, more reliable, cheaper and easier to use.

Lord Davies of Gower
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total Barnett consequentials due to Scotland with the completion of Phases 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 of High Speed 2.

The Barnett consequentials will continue to apply in the usual way for all three devolved administrations as set out in the published Statement of Funding Policy document. All decisions on Barnett consequentials beyond the Spending Round 2021 period will be taken at the next Spending Round.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequential funding for Scotland following completion of Phase 1 of High Speed 2.

The Barnett consequentials will continue to apply in the usual way for all three devolved administrations as set out in the published Statement of Funding Policy document. All decisions on Barnett consequentials beyond the Spending Round 2021 period will be taken at the next Spending Round.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
28th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of job losses at the Alstom manufacturing plant in Derby on (a) future rolling stock competitions, (b) value for money in procurement and (c) businesses in the supply chain supporting the plant.

We are in close discussion with Alstom about its plans for the future of its Derby site and about the potential for redundancies among its workforce. While any decision about the future of the Derby site is ultimately for Alstom, we are giving careful consideration to the potential impacts of this on future rolling stock competitions, our ability to secure value for money through procurements, and on businesses within the rail supply chain supporting the plant, as well as the implications for the local economy and employment. My officials are also leading a cross Whitehall task force to develop appropriate mitigation plans in the event of redundancies.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
29th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with rail companies on the affordability of fares.

The Department regularly meets with the rail industry, on a variety of issues including rail affordability. Following last year’s biggest ever Government intervention to cap rail fare increases below inflation, we will continue to protect passengers from cost-of-living pressures and will not increase next year’s rail fares by as much as July RPI.

We have also introduced several other initiatives to support passengers, including launching flexible season tickets and three new Railcards.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
29th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of rolling stock leasing costs.

Since privatisation rolling stock owning companies (ROSCOs) have invested billions of pounds of capital into improving the national train fleet, including procurement of over 14,000 new vehicles since 1997.

The investments made by the ROSCOs are reflected in lease costs by the operators which will have been tested in competition for new rolling stock. It passes risk from the Government to the private sector and also means that such capital does not need to be spent by the Government on rolling stock but can be invested elsewhere in infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and roads.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
28th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reopening Littleworth railway station in Deeping St Nicholas.

The Network North announcement reiterated the Government’s commitment to support local devolution and local leaders to prioritise transport initiatives that best support their communities. This included funding for Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) in the North and Midlands for Local Integrated Transport Settlements (LITS) from 2025/26-2031/32.

This provides them with greater flexibility to consider more proposals such as any to reopen Littleworth Station. It is for the local authority to bring forward such proposals.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
28th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding his Department has allocated for accessibility works at Flitwick station.

The Department has allocated sufficient funding to Network Rail to complete the scheme.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
28th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to improve accessibility at Harlington station.

We are assessing over 300 nominations for Access for All funding beyond 2024, including a nomination for Harlington railway station. If successful, the funding will create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to platforms. Successful nominations will be announced in due course.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to reopen the canal in Measham; and if he will take steps to provide compensation to Measham Parish Council for the loss of that amenity in recent years.

Whilst provision for the extension of the canal at Measham was made under previous plans for HS2, decisions regarding the restoration and reopening of the canal are a matter for the Ashby Canal Trust and not the Department for Transport or HS2 Ltd.

Huw Merriman
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
24th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the guidance by the Central Digital and Data Office entitled Guidance on the Legacy IT Risk Assessment Framework, published on 29 September 2023, how many red-rated IT systems are used by their Department.

Zero.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much their Department spent on (a) current and (b) legacy IT infrastructure (i) in total and (ii) purchased in 2013 or earlier in each of the last three years.

The cost to the public purse of external contractors used to maintain legacy IT estate cross-government is not centrally held and we are therefore unable to provide an estimate in relation to the years specified.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the delay in the phase out of the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035 on (a) consumer uptake of electric vehicles and (b) inward investment into the electric vehicle industry.

The Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandate will support the delivery of the 2035 phase out dates and remains one of the most ambitious regulatory frameworks in the world. It will secure adequate supply of ZEVs to support continued consumer uptake of these vehicles.

The ZEV mandate also provides long term policy certainty to industry, generating inward investment in the automotive and chargepoint sectors. This is demonstrated in the scale of investment from the private sector. Over the last few years there has been over £6 billion private investment in the electric vehicle industry, including from Tata, BMW, Stellantis and Nissan. In addition the UK chargepoint industry has committed £6 billion in the development and operation of chargepoints before 2030.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the delay in implementing the Rapid Charging Fund on (a) demand for electric vehicles and (b) inward investment into the electric vehicle industry.

The Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) is a complex long-term project, requiring new approaches to enable substantial investments from government and industry to future-proof key locations. Testing with stakeholders, prior to opening the fund, has benefitted the design and delivery arrangements.

The RCF will help ensure that the private sector can continue to expand the charging network and future-proof electricity network capacity 10 years ahead to a minimum of 2035, with a stretch target of 2050.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in September 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023 440 106

April 2023 349 64

May 2023 389 89

June 2023 391 86

July 2023 317 73

August 2023 347 65

September 2023 348 58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Westmorland and Furness Council's road safety policies on roads on which (a) major accidents and (b) fatalities have taken place.

The Department for Transport takes road safety for all road users seriously. The Department's road safety flagship project, the Safer Roads Fund focuses on treating the highest risk A road sections. To date £147.5m has been invested in helping local authorities, alongside the Road Safety Foundation, improve the safety of England’s most high risk ‘A roads.

Cumbria County Council was awarded £1.9m in 2018/19 and £7.4m in 2020/21 from the Safer Roads Fund for improvements to the A684 and A592. The Department assesses the plans submitted for this funding and monitors progress on implementation for those that have been allocated Safer Roads Funding. However, the Department has not otherwise made a specific assessment of the council’s road safety policies because the local council has responsibility for making decisions about local roads, based on its local knowledge and taking into account local needs.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Cumberland Council's road safety policies on roads on which (a) major accidents and (b) fatalities have taken place.

The Department for Transport takes road safety for all road users seriously. The Department's road safety flagship project, the Safer Roads Fund, focuses on treating the highest risk A road sections. To date £147.5m has been invested in helping local authorities, alongside the Road Safety Foundation, improve the safety of England’s most high risk A roads.

Cumbria County Council was awarded £1.9m in 2018/19 and £7.4m in 2020/21 from the Safer Roads Fund for improvements to the A684 and A592. The Department assesses the plans submitted for this funding and monitors progress on implementation for those that have been allocated Safer Roads Funding. However, the Department has not otherwise made a specific assessment of the council’s road safety policies because the local council has responsibility for making decisions about local roads, based on its local knowledge and taking into account local needs.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to allocate further funding for the repair of potholes.

The Department for Transport works with local highway authorities and with National Highways to assess road surface condition across England annually. Local highway authorities undertake automated road condition surveys on their classified road networks, and their surveys identify road defects and provide an overall score of road condition. The latest data was published on gov.uk on 23 November.

As part of the Government’s Network North plan, local highway authorities across England are set to benefit from the biggest ever increase in funding for local highway networks. The details of this £8.3 billion funding increase were set out in the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement of 20 November, and in his letter to Parliamentary colleagues.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of road conditions on motorists.

The Department for Transport works with local highway authorities and with National Highways to assess road surface condition across England annually. Local highway authorities undertake automated road condition surveys on their classified road networks, and their surveys identify road defects and provide an overall score of road condition. The latest data was published on gov.uk on 23 November.

As part of the Government’s Network North plan, local highway authorities across England are set to benefit from the biggest ever increase in funding for local highway networks. The details of this £8.3 billion funding increase were set out in the Secretary of State’s Written Ministerial Statement of 20 November, and in his letter to Parliamentary colleagues.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to help ensure national oversight of new Local Transport Plans to ensure that they are meeting the (a) access and (b) environmental requirements of a more accessible integrated transport system.

The Department for Transport is considering the need for guidance to local authorities on this and other matters in the light of the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement in October, which represents a significant change in the Government’s funding of local transport schemes. Local authorities are already required under the Public Sector Equality Duty to consider the impacts of their plans and policies on those with protected characteristics. The Department’s ‘Inclusive Mobility’ guidance, published on GOV.UK, provides advice and best practice to them on the development of accessible transport and pedestrian environments.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to help reduce the number of potholes (a) nationally and (b) in West Lancashire constituency.

The Department is providing Lancashire County Council with a total of over £37.5 million of highway maintenance funding this financial year. This includes a £5.1 million uplift from the additional £200 million announced at Budget 2023, and a £3.6 million uplift from the additional £150 million Network North funding announced on 4 October. Through the Network North funding, Lancashire County Council will receive a minimum additional uplift in road maintenance funding between 2023-24 and 2033-34 of £244.5 million. It is up to Lancashire County Council to determine how best to use this funding to fulfil its statutory duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria his Department plans to use when allocating the new £2.5 billion fund for local transport across all areas in the North; and what his planned timetable is for announcing those funding decisions.

Since the Government announced Network North on 4 October, the Department has been working closely with delivery partners to establish and progress plans for delivery. Announcements on the progress of business cases and delivery will be made in due course.

The Department will announce further details on the criteria for the allocation of the new £2.5 billion fund for local transport across all areas in the North and the timetable for announcing funding decisions in due course.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 20 November 2023 entitled Network North: Highways maintenance funding increase, HCWS46, how the £2.2 billion of highways maintenance funding for the Midlands will be spent in each constituency.

On 4 October 2023, the Government announced £8.3 billion of additional highways maintenance funding over the period 2023 to 2024 and the next 10 years for local road resurfacing and wider maintenance activity on the local highway network. This consists of £2.2 billion for Local Authorities in the West Midlands and East Midlands. Local Authorities will decide where and how this money is spent.

All allocations are available online.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to tackle levels of higher car insurance premiums in areas with a large proportion of low income households.

The Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules.

Department for Transport officials regularly liaise with representatives of the motor insurance industry and discuss issues as they arise. However, it is the responsibility of individual motor insurers to set their premiums and the terms and conditions of their policies, and the Government does not intervene or seek to control the market.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to allow people applying for driving licences on the DVLA website to sign up for (a) stem cell and (b) blood donation.

Following a request from the National Health Blood and Transplant Service, a process was introduced to enable driving licence applicants to register their details on the NHS Organ Donor Register. This includes those applying via DVLA’s online services. The Department hasn’t been asked to consider this with stem and blood donation, but it would be happy to consider.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage the transition to fully electric taxi fleets in Northern Ireland.

Taxi policy is a devolved matter in all UK nations. However, the UK Government provides Plug in Vehicle Grants to support the transition to zero emission vehicles across the UK. These include a number of harder to transition vehicles including taxis, wheelchair accessible vehicles and vans. The eligibility for these grants is based on the vehicle design and capability. All grants are kept under continual review to ensure the best value for taxpayer's money.

Some local authorities in the devolved administrations may have received money to support chargepoint installation through the Levelling Up Fund, such as in Northern Ireland, which received £3 million towards the upgrade of the electric vehicle charging network.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all roads have an accessible width of footway.

Local authorities are responsible for maintaining footways within their local areas. The Department provides good practice guidance on designing accessible public realm in Inclusive Mobility: a Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure, which includes recommendations on footway widths to accommodate all road users.

It is for local authorities to consider how to apply this guidance to their roads to ensure infrastructure is designed in a way that enables them to meet their Public Sector Equality Duty.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle pavement parking in Liverpool.

Local authorities are responsible for pavement maintenance and already have powers to tackle pavement parking by implementing Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department has consulted on further options to help local authorities outside London tackle this issue and will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. Any new measures will be accompanied by an impact assessment. The Department has not had recent discussions with Liverpool City Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities. The Department is fully aware of the damage that can occur to pavements from parked vehicles.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Liverpool City Council on the potential merits of prohibiting pavement parking in Liverpool.

Local authorities are responsible for pavement maintenance and already have powers to tackle pavement parking by implementing Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department has consulted on further options to help local authorities outside London tackle this issue and will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. Any new measures will be accompanied by an impact assessment. The Department has not had recent discussions with Liverpool City Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities. The Department is fully aware of the damage that can occur to pavements from parked vehicles.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an estimate of the cost of damage to pavements caused by pavement parking in the last 12 months.

Local authorities are responsible for pavement maintenance and already have powers to tackle pavement parking by implementing Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department has consulted on further options to help local authorities outside London tackle this issue and will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. Any new measures will be accompanied by an impact assessment. The Department has not had recent discussions with Liverpool City Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities. The Department is fully aware of the damage that can occur to pavements from parked vehicles.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the DVLA holds data on the number of enquiries submitted by hon. Members during the month of January 2023.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) received 413 items of written correspondence from hon. and Rt hon. members in January 2023 and 396 in February 2023.

The DVLA also has a dedicated telephone service for MPs and this service received 100 calls in January and 91 in February.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in February 2023.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) received 413 items of written correspondence from hon. and Rt hon. members in January 2023 and 396 in February 2023.

The DVLA also has a dedicated telephone service for MPs and this service received 100 calls in January and 91 in February.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in March 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in April 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in May 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in June 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in July 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many enquiries were submitted to the DVLA by Rt hon. and hon. Members in August 2023.

The table below shows correspondence from Rt Hon and hon Members from March to September 2023.

Direct correspondence from MPs

Telephone enquiries from MPs

March 2023

440

106

April 2023

349

64

May 2023

389

89

June 2023

391

86

July 2023

317

73

August 2023

347

65

September 2023

348

58

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to increase road safety in inner city areas.

Responsibility for making decisions about the roads under its care, including measures to protect the safety of inner city road users, sits with the relevant Local Traffic Authority (LTA) for that inner city area.

The Department for Transport provides guidance to LTAs on various traffic management measures which impact road safety. A collection of these can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-transport-notes.

Guidance provided by the Department for LTAs is kept updated to maintain the highest road safety standards possible.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will commission research on the potential impact of pavement parking on (a) disabled people and (b) other pedestrians.

Local authorities are responsible for pavement maintenance and already have powers to tackle pavement parking by implementing Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department has consulted on further options to help local authorities tackle this issue and will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for all pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments, and can be the cause of damage to pavements.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to reduce the cost of repairs to pavements that have been damaged by pavement parking.

Local authorities are responsible for pavement maintenance and already have powers to tackle pavement parking by implementing Traffic Regulation Orders. The Department has consulted on further options to help local authorities tackle this issue and will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for all pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments, and can be the cause of damage to pavements.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle pavement parking in Denton and Reddish constituency.

The Department has consulted on options to help local authorities outside London tackle pavement parking, including a default ban. Views were expressed on a wide range of related issues, including public transport. The Department will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department has not had recent discussions with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council or Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had with discussions with (a) Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and (b) Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council on prohibition of pavement parking.

The Department has consulted on options to help local authorities outside London tackle pavement parking, including a default ban. Views were expressed on a wide range of related issues, including public transport. The Department will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department has not had recent discussions with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council or Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of pavement parking on levels of public transport use.

The Department has consulted on options to help local authorities outside London tackle pavement parking, including a default ban. Views were expressed on a wide range of related issues, including public transport. The Department will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department has not had recent discussions with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council or Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of levels of support for a default pavement parking ban among disabled people.

The Department has consulted on options to help local authorities outside London tackle pavement parking, including a default ban. Views were expressed on a wide range of related issues, including public transport. The Department will publish a formal response when final decisions have been taken. The Department has not had recent discussions with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council or Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of highways funding for (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) England.

Local highway authorities across England are set to benefit from an £8.3 billion boost in funding for highway maintenance, the biggest ever increase in funding for local roads. This funding is in addition to local transport funding from the last Spending Review and in addition to what local authorities were expecting to receive. Buckinghamshire will receive a minimum additional overall uplift of £51 million between 2023-24 and 2033-34, which should allow it to make major improvements to the condition of its local roads.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish guidance on implementing the policies in his Department's policy paper entitled The plan for drivers, published on 2 October 2023.

Each of the 30 measures in “The Plan for Drivers” is being implemented on its own timescale according to what action is required, for example the launch of a public consultation, publication of revised guidance, or procurement of a supplier.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)