Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce cross-subsidy between rural and urban areas for franchised bus services where routes exist that are not themselves profitable.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Local authorities can choose to subsidise bus services, including those that span urban and rural areas, where commercial provision alone is not sufficient to meet the needs of local communities, and where it represents value for money. This is a decision for local authorities to make.

Under franchised bus services, the local authority can have responsibility for all elements of the bus network including routes, timetables and fares. There are many different options available for franchising for local authorities and cross subsidy between profitable and non-profitable routes is a possible feature of some models.

The Government is investing in bus and has committed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services across the area. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what volume of freight entered Britain from (1) Northern Ireland, and (2) the Republic of Ireland, in (a) the most recent year for which figures are available, (b) 2020, and (c) 2015; and what proportion of each of those figures was goods for onward transport to countries within the European Union.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport publishes Port Freight Statistics annually where the statistics are broken down by route. They show that in 2023 (latest data available), Great Britain imported 19.2m tonnes of goods from Northern Ireland through its maritime ports, and Great Britain imported 6.8m tonnes goods from the Republic of Ireland through its maritime ports.

The maritime freight from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and, from Republic of Ireland to Great Britain for 2020 and 2015 can be seen in table 1.

Table 1: Maritime freight from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Great Britain in the years 2015, 2020 and 2023. (Source: Department for Transport)

For the time series back to 2000, please see the Department for Transport’s published tables, PORT0707 for Northern Ireland - Great Britain and PORT0499 for Republic of Ireland - Great Britain.

The Department for Transport (DfT) also publishes road freight statistics, which provides information about the domestic and international activity of British-registered and Northern Ireland-registered heavy good vehicles (HGVs). This excludes activity by foreign-registered HGVs and light good vehicles. This is collected by DfT road freight haulage surveys. Due to a methodology change in the data collection, domestic road freight statistics data before and after 2021 should not be compared.

For 2023 (latest figures), 2.2 million tonnes of goods were lifted by UK-registered vehicles between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and 0.5 million tonnes of goods were lifted by UK-registered vehicles between Great Britain and the Republican of Ireland. This is published in the domestic road freight statistics table RFS0130 and RFS0131. Please note, this refers to the volume lifted from and to, not just entering Great Britain.

The Department for Transport has not included aviation freight because these volumes are significantly lower than maritime and road freight (of the order of a few thousand tonnes).

The Department for Transport does not hold information on the proportion of the goods that were subsequently moved onwards to countries within the European Union.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Uber accounts are not used by unlicensed taxi drivers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Enforcement of the private hire vehicle licensing regime is a matter for licensing authorities and the police. Any licensed private hire vehicle operators found to be enabling the use of unlicensed drivers or vehicles to carry passengers may be prosecuted and risk revocation of their licence.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much Network Rail spends on renting commercial space outside London; and how much Network Rail commercial space is empty.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail does not hold the information centrally regarding it’s spend on renting commercial space outside of London.

Across the 20 stations managed by Network Rail, the commercial vacancy rate is 3.2%.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the acceleration capability of trains powered by (a) batteries, (b) overhead catenary systems and (c) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State has not made an assessment of the acceleration of different types of traction for operating at speeds up to 125mph. It is a matter for operators, when procuring rolling stock, to ensure that the characteristics of their fleet can meet their timetable requirements and best use of the infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which open access rail applications are awaiting a decision by the Office of Rail and Road.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) have confirmed to the Department that there are currently 12 open access applications that are awaiting decisions by the ORR.

Details of live applications can be found via the ORR’s website: https://www.orr.gov.uk/rail-guidance-compliance/network-access/regulated-networks/network-rail/current-applications

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much renewable energy generation is delivered from the Network Rail land estate; and which individual facilities generate the largest supplies of electricity.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Network Rail does not currently hold data on the total amount of renewable energy generation delivered from its land estate as solar installations have been delivered at a regional and route level to date. Network Rail is working to gather this data. The individual facility on Network Rail’s land estate that generates the largest supply of electricity is Blackfriars Bridge, the world’s largest solar bridge, which generates at 850kWp (around 900,000kWh per year) and covers 6,000m².

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on modes of transport used by commuters in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department holds information on the usual method of travel to work from the Travel to work, England and Wales: Census 2021 publication by the Office for National Statistics. According to this data, 46% of people in employment in the Surrey Heath constituency in 2021 usually travelled to work by driving a car or van. This was followed by 40% working mainly at or from home, and 5% on foot.

Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of unparalleled and rapid change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the travel to work topic.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Fund feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department provided funding to Translink through the Union Connectivity Fund to deliver a feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line. The Department understands from Translink that they plan to publish their findings over the Summer and that they will engage with stakeholders to present the results.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects Train Operating Company retail websites will cease to operate; and what transitional process her Department plans alongside a new Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is working on plans for Great British Railways’ (GBR) future retail capability and assessing its impact. It will go live once GBR is established. We will provide further details in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer on rail’s passenger revenue.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is working on plans for Great British Railways’ (GBR) future retail capability and assessing its impact. It will go live once GBR is established. We will provide further details in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to issue a tender procurement notice to deliver a new Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is working on plans for Great British Railways’ (GBR) future retail capability and assessing its impact. It will go live once GBR is established. We will provide further details in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost to the public purse of the subsidy required to support the railways was in (a) 2018-9, (b) 2020-1 and (c) 2023-4.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government’s net support to the rail industry in Great Britain totalled £7.1 billion in 2018-19, £16.9 billion in 2020-21 and £22.3 billion in 2023-24. This support includes funding for both the operational railway and for enhancement projects such as HS2.

These values as well as further information can be found on the Office for Rail and Road portal: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/finance/rail-industry-finance/.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing mandatory fare meters in private hire vehicles.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Licensing authorities have the power to set maximum taxi fares for journeys within their area. Regulated fares provide an important element of customer protection in the rank and hail market where passengers do not have a choice over which vehicle they hire. A uniform set of tariffs enables taxi meters to be used to ensure taxi fares are accurately calculated.

Licensing authorities have no power to set fares for private hire vehicles (PHVs). Fares for PHVs, which must be pre-booked with a licensed operator, are set by the PHV operator. The competitive pre-booked market allows PHV operators to compete on price as well as other factors such as quality of service.

Apart from in London, meters can be fitted to PHVs and these would need to reflect the relevant PHV operator’s tariff. As different PHV operator tariffs may vary this could have the effect of restricting the range of operators which drivers could work with. Mandating the fitting of meters in PHVs would reduce the flexibility in the PHV sector and potentially affect the availability of vehicles for passengers and the way in which drivers can work to maximise their earnings.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the potential cost of increasing the capacity of the railway connection between Manchester and Liverpool; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the capacity of that connection on (a) the number of commuters and (b) levels of commerce between those cities.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is actively considering improvements between Liverpool and Manchester, starting with options to lengthen trains in the near term, modernise the route via Warrington and the potential provision of new trains as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

As announced in the Autumn 2024 budget, we are maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail by progressing planning and design works to support future delivery. We intend to set out more details in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of the service on and (b) potential merits of renovating the Liverpool-to-Manchester railway line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is actively considering improvements between Liverpool and Manchester, starting with options to lengthen trains in the near term, modernise the route via Warrington and the potential provision of new trains as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

As announced in the Autumn 2024 budget, we are maintaining momentum on Northern Powerhouse Rail by progressing planning and design works to support future delivery. We intend to set out more details in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when Network Rail last carried out (a) a survey and (b) audit of its land estate which could be suitable for renewable energy generation; and what assessment was made of its megawatt generation potential.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The most recent survey and analysis of the potential for renewable energy generation across Network Rail’s land estate was carried out in May 2020, with the potential capacity found to be 188 MWp across 34 sites. Network Rail is continuing the roll out of new renewable energy generation assets across its estate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much the HS2 project has cost to date; what estimate they have made of the cost of completing the project; and when they anticipate that it will be completed.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

This Government inherited an exceptionally bad position at HS2, and has been working hard to grip HS2’s spiralling costs and has tasked HS2 Ltd’s CEO with conducting a comprehensive review of the programme, including assessing the current position on cost and schedule. He will provide advice for government to assess leading to agreeing a reset budget in 2026.

As reported in the last HS2 report to Parliament in December 2024, overall spend to date was £30.2 billion (2019 prices). An update will be provided in the next report to Parliament.

The date for delivery of initial HS2 services between Birmingham Curzon Street and Old Oak Common by 2033 remains, but there are significant pressures on this schedule.

We will report to Parliament once we have agreed a revised estimate for cost and schedule.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to extend the availability of DNA spit kits to licensed private hire drivers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Violence against transport workers is unacceptable and something I take very seriously. That is why my Department's best practice guidance to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England sets out my expectations for the sector including assessing risks to private hire vehicle drivers whilst they are at work. This could include the provision of 'spit kits' to help deter such repellent behaviour.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil in the domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a low carbon fuel made from oils and fats, which is used in rail or road transport.

Oils and fats are also used to make a type of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) called HEFA or hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids. HEFA will play a vital role in our aviation decarbonisation journey. The UK is already producing and supplying this type of SAF, and we welcome the further development of this industry. The supply of HEFA SAF is incentivised by the UK’s SAF Mandate, which came into force this year. The SAF Mandate could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of charging points for electric vehicles that have been built in each year since 2015, broken down by local authority.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The information requested is not available.

The Department does hold and publish the number of public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK by local authority as of the first day of the month each quarter from 2019 onwards. This information can be found in the attached table.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the whole-life costs of (a) full and (b) partial railway electrification taking into account (i) infrastructure and (ii) rolling stock including (A) fully electric (B) battery, (C) battery/electric, (D) bi-mode and (E) tri-mode trains.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department is working closely with Network Rail to develop updated plans for where and when electrification is required to deliver a fully decarbonised railway, that considers both track and train, as well as the recent development of battery technology on the railway. As part of this process, the Department is assessing whole-life costs of both full and partial electrification with regard toall rolling stock traction types in order to decarbonise in the most cost-effective way.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to include an updated assessment of the potential impact of noise from a third runway at Heathrow on public health in a future version of the guidance entitled Transport analysis guidance, published on 29 October 2013.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.

TAG, or Transport Analysis Guidance, provides information on the role of transport modelling and appraisal. It is a set of guidance for senior responsible owners, project managers and technical practitioners and focuses on guidance for all modes and any scheme, rather than a specific scheme such as Heathrow Expansion.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Great Western Railway’s proposed reductions on ticket office staffing on access for disabled and elderly passengers in Wiltshire; and if she will publish that assessment.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Any changes to ticket office opening hours in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) must be made following the TSA process and Secretary of State guidance. This includes a requirement to consider the impact the change will have on those with protected characteristics. No proposal has been submitted through the TSA Process.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will reduce the cost of the Veterans Railcard.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are not planning to reduce the price of the Veterans’ Railcard. Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 44055 on Govia Thameslink Railway: Fares, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the annual increases in fares on service experience for passengers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As much as we appreciate the impact of fares increases on passengers, we need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal. Delivering better quality services, and increased reliability of trains, alongside a clearer fares offer will ensure an enhanced passenger experience. A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of Great Western Railway’s proposals to reduce (a) ticket office windows and (b) station staffing levels on passenger (i) service and (ii) safety in Wiltshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

While ticket office opening hours are regulated through the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process, the operation of ticket office windows and staffing levels is the responsibility of the train operator. We understand that Great Western Railway has no plans to reduce station staff in Wiltshire.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to (a) ensure the consistency of the passenger experience on trains on (i) C2C and (ii) Greater Anglia services after they have been nationalised and (b) establish penalties for those responsible for poor passenger experience.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Bringing passenger services into public ownership will ensure services are focused on delivering for passengers, not shareholders. Our priority is to deliver a smooth and safe transition of c2c’s and Greater Anglia’s services into public ownership this year, with no disruption to passengers. We expect public-sector operators to focus relentlessly on improving reliability, punctuality and other aspects of the service that matter most to passengers, and we will hold them to account for doing so.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to prevent signal cabling theft on the rail network.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Tackling trespass and vandalism, including cable theft, is a top priority for the rail industry, alongside the British Transport Police (BTP) who are responsible for policing the railway in England, Scotland and Wales.

BTP adopts an intelligence-led approach to combat cable theft across the rail network, working closely with partners such as Network Rail and the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership to identify high-risk areas and target their resources effectively.

The Department for Transport is using strengthened relationships with Shadow Great British Railways partners such as Network Rail, the DfT Operator and Train Operating Companies to identify immediate and longer-term measures to reduce the impact on railway performance. This work includes improved physical deterrence, the use of new technology and better data collection and analysis.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is planning to take to improve the (a) C2C and (b) Greater Anglia rail networks.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Cambridge South station project will deliver a new four-platform station on the West Anglia Main Line between the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Southern Fringe development area. Consideration of further improvements to the C2C and Greater Anglia networks will be informed by Spending Review 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to protect the rail network from cyber attacks.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport (DfT) runs a cyber programme aimed at understanding and addressing risks and vulnerabilities across all modes of transport, including rail, and works across government to introduce relevant standards, guidance, and policies to ensure the cyber resilience of essential services.

The department uses both policy and regulatory levers to help the sector manage cyber risk and secure its systems, networks and assets. This work includes efforts to promote a more consistent and resilient approach to managing cyber risks across operational practices and the broader rail ecosystem. We work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), industry stakeholders, and other partners to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will review emission standards for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in line with EU ratings.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The current emission standard for cars and vans in Great Britain is known as Euro 6d. Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland applies the EU standard, known as Euro 6e.

The Department for Transport plans to consult soon on a proposal to update the required emission standard for new cars and vans, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, in line with Euro 6e.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.

Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various departments, starting from January 2026.

Following the introduction of Skills England and a recent review of DfT’s Talent & Apprenticeship Strategy, we have refined our focus on providing apprenticeships within priority skills areas that are better aligned to Government Missions and the skills we are looking to grow within the department.

HR are working to provide a wider range of apprenticeships in our Department in key fields, particularly STEM, Digital, Data, and AI, where demand is highest and in using apprenticeships as a route for individuals to obtain essential learning such as HR and Finance qualifications.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the decarbonisation of heavy duty vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles, and is supporting this through programmes such as the Plug-in Truck Grant, the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, further funding for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme, and a bus decarbonisation measure in the Bus Services Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a zero emission vehicle mandate for heavy duty vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government believes that more needs to be done to decarbonise the road freight sector. We are currently considering our regulatory approach for decarbonising new non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles and look forward to engaging the sector on this in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make a comparative assessment of (a) levels of passenger satisfaction and (b) the number of trains on that have run on time on (i) Northern Rail, (ii) C2C and (iii) Greater Anglia in the last 12 months.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A comparison with Northern is not appropriate as this Government inherited that operation with a long running industrial dispute that the previous Government had taken no steps to resolve. We hold Northern, c2c and Greater Anglia to account for their performance through a variety of contractual measures (including the quality of service, punctuality and how they are managing customer satisfaction).

Train performance data can be found on the ORR website and satisfaction data is published by Transport Focus at the following websites:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/

https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/insight/rail-passenger-scorecard/

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the rapid charging fund is used effectively.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A reliable, accessible and visible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential.

The market has changed significantly since the previous government announced the Rapid Charging Fund in 2020, including increased private sector investment in infrastructure, a changed regulatory environment, and improvements in battery technology. There are now over 5,250 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within 1 mile of the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads).

We will ensure taxpayers' money is used as efficiently as possible to make the transition to electric vehicles a success. The Rapid Charging Fund pilot was launched in 2023 to better understand where to target government support. We will apply learning from the pilot and continue working with industry to inform future policy to boost charging infrastructure on the Strategic Road Network.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus in promoting higher standards of seafarer (a) employment and (b) welfare in the short sea ferry industry.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Memorandum of Understanding covers maritime safety, security and environment and is a basis for dialogue of mutual interest to both states, and to exchange information and best practice. It also promotes cooperation on dialogue in the international fora on areas of common interest.

For seafarers, we have seen this most recently in April in our co-operation with Canada, EU member states including Cyprus, and others on important amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention that the UK helped to drive through.

As the flag state for several vessels on the short sea ferry sector, Cyprus complies with all international and EU requirements in terms of employment and welfare of seafarers. Domestic regulations put in place by the coastal state may go over and beyond international requirements. These are compliant with international law and recognise the authority of the flag state.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of open shipping registers on (a) employment and (b) welfare standards for seafarers working in the shipping industry.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Improving the pay and working conditions of seafarers is a priority for this government. We are committed to working with the sector and our international partners to improve standards.

All vessels visiting the UK must comply with international minimum standards on employment and welfare. We work with like-minded states and our social partners to continue to improve those international standards.

The UK has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Spain, Greece and Cyprus agreeing to coordinate on matters relating to the conditions of seafarers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local councils on (a) accessing the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and (b) using cross-pavement solutions for charging electric vehicles.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Government has regular discussions with local authorities about accessing the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund and has appointed a support body to assist local authorities with pre and post-application support.

In December 2024, following significant engagement with local authorities, the Government published cross-pavement guidance to help local authorities understand what they need to consider for the roll-out of cross-pavement solutions. This includes relevant planning permissions, minimum existing standards, responsibilities and case studies of trials.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who represented her Department at the second annual review of the Cyprus-UK bilateral Memorandum of Understanding in December 2024.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The annual review of the Cyprus-UK bilateral Memorandum of Understanding is led by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Director General for Europe. The Department was not represented during the second annual review which took place in December 2024. However, the Department worked with the FCDO to review the UK-Cyprus Joint Statement and provided written contributions on transport related issues covered in the strategic dialogue as part of the second annual review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of rail (a) capacity and (b) performance of Manchester Airport Station.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

I recognise that Manchester Airport station needs to be improved, both in terms of its capacity and its passenger experience. That is why Network Rail is working with TransPennine Express as the station operator and local stakeholders including Manchester Airports Group to extend the platforms to allow more trains to serve the station. At the same time, we are looking at how to improve the experience for passengers, including those from overseas, for whom this station is a major gateway to Manchester and the whole of the North.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making the wearing of cycle helmets a legal requirement for cyclists.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport considered the case for mandating the wearing of cycle helmets as part of a cycling and walking safety review in 2018. The review concluded that the safety benefits were likely to be outweighed by the fact that this would put some people off cycling. This would, in turn, reduce the wider health and environmental benefits.

The Department recommends that cycle helmets should be worn and this is set out in The Highway Code, but does not intend to make it a legal requirement.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of reduced bus service (a) frequency and (b) routes on people travelling to healthcare appointments in (i) North Cornwall and (ii) other rural areas.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to keeping communities connected, and ensuring people can get to education and work, including healthcare workers.

The government believes that local transport authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December 2024 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of communities that rely on them.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Cornwall Council has been allocated £10.59 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce improvements to bus services and infrastructure to best meet the needs of passengers in their local area.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the length of time for which a driving theory test certificate is valid.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.

The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.

Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a separate regulatory structure for coach services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UK coach sector was deregulated by the Transport Act 1980 and services are operated on a commercial basis without receiving government funding. Where coaches provide local bus services, they may be required to comply with the relevant legislation governing those services. Operation of buses and coaches requires a Public Service Vehicle Operator’s Licence and there are currently no plans for a separate regulatory structure for the operation of coaches.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the definitions of (a) pre-booked and (b) on-demand coach services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department recognises the important role the coach sector plays in connecting people across the country. Coaches are operated on a commercial basis providing services for leisure, business, education and private hire. The Government has no plans to review the definitions of pre-booked or on-demand services because, as private businesses, decisions such as the types of services they offer are for the operators concerned.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to rail links in rural communities in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government knows that public transport needs to be better integrated in order to improve the experience for passengers, providing access to services and keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The Government is taking action to help improve local bus services and encourage greater integration between transport modes.

We introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across the area.

The Government will also be publishing an Integrated National Transport Strategy this year to set the vision for transport in England. It will focus on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve the people who use it, including those in rural areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the affordability of rail fares in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways (GBR) passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver GBR, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.

Passengers traveling in the South East and London, which includes a) the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and b) Hertfordshire, can also benefit from one third off the price of fares after 10:00 with the Network Railcard.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to fund accessibility improvements at train stations.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free upgrades at more than 260 station across Britain. The government is committed to continuing to improve the accessibility of the railway.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to establish a national freight network.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In 2022, the then Government committed to identifying a National Freight Network, starting with improving the Department’s dataset to then develop a strategic picture of the transport network used to move freight. This complex work is underway and our vision for the next phase will be set out in the new plan for freight later this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling local authorities to use CCTV enforcement to address unlawful pavement parking; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit such enforcement.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

No assessment has been made of the use of CCTV cameras to address pavement parking. The use of CCTV for civil enforcement of parking restrictions is currently limited to contraventions occurring in ‘keep clear’ zig-zag areas outside schools, red routes, bus lanes and mandatory cycle lanes, and at bus stops and bus stands.

More broadly on the issue of pavement parking, the Department has been considering responses to the consultation on pavement parking conducted in 2020 and potential policy options. We will announce our formal response to the consultation and next steps shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the 2030 deadline for the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, in the context of (a) existing infrastructure readiness and (b) domestic manufacturing capacity.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are fully committed to phasing out the sale of new cars powered solely by internal combustion engines from 2030, providing leadership and investment clarity to support the rollout of charging infrastructure.

We have committed £2 billion of funding to 2030 to support the automotive industry as we accelerate to zero emission vehicles. This will support R&D and the commercial scale up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and the wider supply chain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Multi-billion pound investment secured as Universal theme park and resort set to be built in Bedford, published on 9 April 2025, if she will request that East West Rail add an additional station to their consolidated plan on the Marston Vale line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

East West Rail Company consulted on options for stations and services along the Marston Vale Line as part of its 2024 non-statutory consultation. It is now considering feedback to this as well as the recent Government announcement of a new Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire. Further details on serving Universal’s site will be presented at a future statutory consultation on East West Rail.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department holds information on the daily ticket sales from stations on Southern duty railway lines to London terminals.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department does not hold this information. The Rail Delivery Group and individual TOCs hold the data.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to allocate a multi-year funding settlement for (a) revenue and (b) capital to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The recent consultation on reforming our railways proposed that the Secretary of State will be required to issue a High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) for GBR’s Infrastructure Operations, Maintenance and Renewals. GBR would be required to create a business plan in response to the HLOS and SoFA, setting out its proposed activity over the next 5 years. Passenger services and enhancements would continue to be funded through the spending review process when these occur. The consultation has now closed, and Government will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people who applied to register a non-GB driving licence were rejected in each of the last three years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows the number of applications to exchange a non-GB driving licence for a GB equivalent that were successful and those which were rejected for the period requested.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will (a) respond to and (b) support the provisions outlined in the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill; and if she will meet the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the Bill.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 13 June. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the difference between travel concessions for (a) Metropolitan Police Officers and (b) NHS staff working in Central London; and whether she plans to introduce similar subsidised travel schemes for essential medical staff using National Rail services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

There are no current plans to review concessions in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, but it will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of concessionary schemes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people exchanged a non-GB driving licence for a valid UK licence in each of the last three years.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows the number of applications to exchange a non-GB driving licence for a GB equivalent that were successful and those which were rejected for the period requested.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department has issued on the use of bilingual street signs in England.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport has not issued guidance on the use of bilingual traffic signs as these are not permitted on roads in England.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the amount of new rolling stock required to be purchased to deliver East West Rail services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Work is ongoing to establish demand levels and the optimal Train Service Specification (TSS) between Oxford & Cambridge, this details the frequency and stopping pattern of the proposed services and rolling stock requirements. These factors continue to evolve and develop as East West Rail Company refines the proposals for the scheme which will be set out in a Statutory Consultation

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce instances of sexual offences on public transport in (a) England and (b) Romford.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is committed to ensuring everyone, including women and girls, is safe on the transport network. The Department is working across government and with partners, including the British Transport Police (BTP), the transport industry and local authorities to ensure that everyone feels and is safe when travelling.

As part of the Government’s aims to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade, the Department has an ambitious, evidence-based programme of work to help tackle VAWG on transport. This includes proposals in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill such as training on how to recognise and respond to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The Department supports BTP’s zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and sexual offences. This includes using a range of policing techniques to pursue offenders on the rail network to ensure it remains a safe environment and encourage reporting of incidents via BTP’s 61016 text number or 999 in an emergency. Romford is currently part of Operation Cerium which sees proactive patrols from BTP officers across the underground and rail network in London to reduce the number of sexual offences and identify offenders swiftly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the average impact of judicial reviews on the cost of road infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2025.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The impact of judicial reviews on the cost of road infrastructure projects will vary by scheme. National Highways has calculated that the increase in costs to its schemes, caused by legal challenges, is between £66 million and £121 million per scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the remainder of the South Wales mainline.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

No recent cost estimates have been made by Network Rail for electrification of the South Wales Mainline, with the last available information dating from 2017. With bi-mode trains offering comparable journey times regardless of whether operating in diesel or electric mode, it is expected that any business case for electrification of this route would be very weak.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the North Wales mainline.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government has not made any recent estimate of the cost of electrification of the North Wales Mainline. It is more than ten years since Network Rail were last asked to consider the electrification of this line. That work would need to be fully refreshed, taking account of current electrification technologies.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update health costs of noise impacts in Transport Appraisal Guidance.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

TAG, or Transport Analysis Guidance, provides information on the role of transport modelling and appraisal. We keep our guidance and values under review with the aim of ensuring that they are based on the best available evidence and meet the needs of decision makers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to establish an independent noise authority.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to a strong aviation noise policy and funds the Civil Aviation Authority to provide noise advisory functions, including provision of best practice on noise mitigation, as well as funding two major noise studies. There are no current plans to establish an independent noise authority.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of passenger rail performance in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) Hertfordshire.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Performance in the area has been challenging in recent months, affected by a range of issues including points failures, train faults and external trespass and fatality incidents affecting Thameslink services operated by Govia Thameslink Railway. However, there is an improving trend in service delay and cancellations with continued monitoring and challenge of the train operator and Network Rail by my Department.

Ongoing upgrade works on the Midline Main Line overhead power lines will help improve reliability. Department officials continue to monitor performance against contractual targets and will ensure appropriate action is taken to address any emerging issues.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to strengthen regulations on out-of-area working of private hire Uber vehicles.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is considering options to improve the current regulatory position in respect of taxis and private hire vehicles and will consult shortly on whether to make all local transport authorities, including Strategic Authorities, responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.

We believe administering taxi and private hire vehicle licensing across a larger footprint would increase the consistency of standards and enable more effective use of enforcement powers across a whole functional economic area and facilitate integrated local transport planning. Greater economies of scale should also increase the efficiency in taxi and private hire vehicle licensing and the sector. This should reduce the factors that induce people to license out of their usual working area. This would be a significant change for the sector, and responses to the consultation will help inform the final decision.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations she has received from disability and passenger rights organisations in Wiltshire on Great Western Railway’s proposed staffing reductions; and if she will publish a summary of those representations.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Great Western Railway (GWR) are not proposing any staffing reductions in Wiltshire and we have not had any representations from disability and passenger rights organisations on this subject. GWR have confirmed that they will not be bringing forward any changes to ticket office opening hours at the current time.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of primary schools which will be exposed to noise pollution from Heathrow expansion proposals above (a) 45dB, (b) 51dB and (c) 54dB.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.

Once proposals have been received the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which sets clear requirements to mitigate the impacts of expansion on the environment and affected communities, and which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish which local authorities have the powers to enforce moving traffic restrictions.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local authorities in London have had the powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions since 2003. In 2022, regulations came into effect under the Traffic Management Act 2004 to allow local authorities in England outside London to apply for moving traffic enforcement powers. To date, 73 local authorities outside London have been granted moving traffic enforcement powers. All of the Designation Orders are available on the Government’s legislation website. The links to each are here: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/686/made; www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/698/made; www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1135/made.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set a minimum acceptable level of noise for Heathrow expansion proposals.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.

Once proposals have been received the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which sets clear requirements to mitigate the impacts of expansion on the environment and affected communities, and which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will introduce regulations to provide for a photographic image of the registered disabled person to be placed on the authorised displayed front of a disability parking blue badge.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The legislation governing the Blue Badge scheme requires that the side of the badge bearing the photograph should not be on display. Many disabled people have concerns about personal security and would not like to have such information on view. There are no plans to change this requirement.

Blue Badges have key information which enables on-street enforcement officers to check the details of the badge and the badge holder, and to view a photograph at the roadside on a smartphone or similar device.

The Department for Transport keeps the Blue Badge scheme under review, carrying out research and working closely with local authorities aiming to improve the consistency of local enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge scheme by acting swiftly and sharing best practice.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Hampshire County Council on pavement parking; and whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support local authorities in tackling concerns related to pavement parking.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State has not had discussions with Hampshire County Council about pavement parking. The Department held a consultation in 2020 and has been considering the responses to the consultation and working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government has decided its preferred way forward, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response.  In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to restrict and enforce pavement parking.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have been prosecuted for the illegal use of disability parking blue badges in the past two years.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold data about the number of prosecutions for illegal badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administrating the scheme.

Current legislation provides local authorities with the means to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge scheme locally, such as the power to retain and cancel badges found to be misused.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total number of recorded cases of the illegal use of disability parking blue badges.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold data about the number of prosecutions for illegal badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administrating the scheme.

Current legislation provides local authorities with the means to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge scheme locally, such as the power to retain and cancel badges found to be misused.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they collect evidence or carry out research into the illegal use, production, sale or theft of disability parking blue badges.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The legislation governing the Blue Badge scheme requires that the side of the badge bearing the photograph should not be on display. Many disabled people have concerns about personal security and would not like to have such information on view. There are no plans to change this requirement.

Blue Badges have key information which enables on-street enforcement officers to check the details of the badge and the badge holder, and to view a photograph at the roadside on a smartphone or similar device.

The Department for Transport keeps the Blue Badge scheme under review, carrying out research and working closely with local authorities aiming to improve the consistency of local enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge scheme by acting swiftly and sharing best practice.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the size of vehicles on the uptake of active travel by (a) young and (b) other people.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There are no current plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of vehicle sizes on active travel uptake. Active Travel England is working with local authorities across England to support the development of safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure and funds various programmes to support the uptake of active travel in young people.

Before a new vehicle is permitted to be sold in Great Britain it is subject to rigorous and comprehensive testing to ensure it meets high standards of passenger and pedestrian safety and complies with emission standards.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help increase active travel options in rural areas.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport recently announced almost £300 million of funding to boost active travel across England. This includes £222.5 million to local authorities outside of London, including rural areas. Active Travel England (ATE) supports local authorities through officer training to enable delivery of high-quality walking and cycling schemes, as well as design workshops and design assurance reviews of schemes under development.

ATE is developing specific guidance for good practice application in rural areas and expects to publish this shortly. Officers in ATE and the Department regularly engage with colleagues in DEFRA about how best to harmonise the government’s approach to enabling sustainable and active transport in rural areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the average bus punctuality rates for Lincolnshire in each year since 2015.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The average bus punctuality rates (specifically, the percentage of non-frequent bus services running on time) for Lincolnshire are available for each year between the year ending March 2015 and the year ending March 2024 in the Department’s published Annual Bus Statistics. This data can be found in Table BUS09a: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus-statistics-data-tables#bus-reliability-and-punctuality-bus09.

More granular (daily, route-level etc.) punctuality data, including data for Lincolnshire, is provided through the Analyse Bus Open Data Service (ABODS). ABODS enables DfT, local transport authorities, and bus operators to view detailed performance metrics, including line-level, stop-level, and individual journey punctuality, as well as on-time, early, and late arrival patterns based on GPS data from buses.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps National Highways is taking to coordinate with local authorities on managing (a) fly-tipping and (b) litter in places which overlap between special roads and trunk roads.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways works closely with local authorities to tackle litter on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). National Highways has introduced litter partnership agreements to facilitate better coordination of litter clearing operations and has provided health and safety training to key local authority personnel to support their litter-clearing teams.

National Highways regularly engage with local authorities to help identify opportunities for local authority teams to access the network and address priority areas of concern for litter-picking and sweeping. Local authorities are able to utilise National Highways’ traffic management to schedule their own litter picks, helping to reduce costs for taxpayers and minimise disruption to road users. Although National Highways does not possess enforcement powers, in the event its CCTV operators notice illegal activity such as littering or fly tipping taking place on the SRN, evidence of that is also passed onto the local authorities responsible for prosecution.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what was the total cost to the public purse was of British transport police offices in the last financial year (a) based at rail stations (b) not based at rail stations.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police do not hold data separating the costs for station-based and non-station-based offices. The British Transport Police operate from 141 properties split between railway stations and commercial buildings close to the railway.

In the financial year 24/25, the total cost of British Transport Police’s estate including all running, maintenance, general improvement, and asset replacement costs was approximately £26.8m. In addition, as part of BTP’s cost reduction measures there was a one-off cost of £10.2m to relocate the British Transport Police Force Headquarters, which is anticipated to save £1.4m a year.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring local authorities to consider the curtilage of properties when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the weight that should be given to quality of life issues when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on considering the hierarchy of road users when assessing local speed limits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Traffic authorities have the power to make speed limits on the public roads which they manage.  English authorities are asked to consider the best practice guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.  This lists important factors that may be taken into account which include, among other things, the composition of road users including existing and potential levels of vulnerable road users, and the road environment such as the level of roadside development and the possible impacts (for example, severance, noise or air quality) on residents.  This could include effects on the curtilage of neighbouring properties.

The final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.

The Department’s guidance to English traffic authorities can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support manufacturers of (a) 44-tonne and (b) all weights of volumetric concrete mixers.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has supported the transition of volumetric concrete mixer (VCM) operators and manufacturers by providing a 10-year temporary weight exemption, allowing time to adapt to compliant vehicles.

The temporary arrangement will conclude in 2028. Existing VCMs will be able to continue operating, but only within the applicable weight limits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the HGV parking and driver welfare match funding grant scheme.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. These priorities were identified through the National Survey of Lorry Parking (2022) and aim to improve the working conditions of HGV drivers.

My department has commissioned an independent evaluation of the scheme, to consider the application and delivery process, the role of the scheme in improving lorry driver facilities in England and the impact of the site improvements for drivers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps National Highways is taking to reduce (a) fly-tipping and (b) litter on roads it is responsible for.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways are committed to the effective management of fly tipping and litter on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). National Highways pick litter on the SRN every day and its inspectors regularly survey the network, grading it in accordance with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse.

National Highways consistently work to deliver improved clean-up using innovative methods such as industrial vacuums, as well as undertaking several anti-littering interventions to influence behaviours and attitudes of road users towards litter. These include anti-littering messaging through social media, trialling AI enforcement cameras to capture those throwing litter on the SRN, using geofencing to send targeted anti-littering messages to mobile devices around identified litter hotspots, as well as putting anti-littering posters and signs and installing car and lorry height bins at motorway service areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 904123 Gatwick Airport: Carbon Emissions, if she will list the organisations from which she has received carbon emissions projection data relating to Gatwick's proposed expansion.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As this is live planning application that is yet to be decided, unfortunately I cannot comment in detail at this time. However, all information provided to the Secretary of State by the applicant, the Examining Authority, and any parties who chose to make written representations is available on the Planning Inspectorate website. This will include information on carbon emissions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to revise section 19 of the Transport Act 1985 to require those driving school minibuses to hold a professional driving qualification or equivalent.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Transport Act 1985 permit system was designed to recognise the value of not-for profit organisations that provide services for community, social and charitable benefit including schools and the wider education sector.

Whilst there are no immediate plans to alter the section 19 and section 22 permit system, ensuring the arrangements work well and are safe is something that is regularly under consideration.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which statutory harbour authorities in England charge for overhanging residential balconies.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The department has not conducted a review of all Statutory Harbour Authorities to assess if they have the power to charge for overhanging residential balconies. Given the divergence in port local acts, it is not clear how many ports have this power.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how bringing railways into public ownership will (1) reduce operating costs, (2) deliver economic growth, (3) improve delivery for passengers and freight operators, (4) reduce cost to passengers, and (5) ensure fair access to the network by all passengers and freight operators.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Bringing train operations into public ownership is the first step in the Government’s plans for wider rail reform, including establishing Great British Railways (GBR). Under public ownership, passenger services will be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. Under GBR, we will create a unified and simplified railway that puts passengers first, rebuilding trust.

GBR is set to be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body, to deliver better services for passengers and freight customers, and better value for money for taxpayers. These changes form a critical part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change - delivering growth, jobs, and housing through greater connectivity, putting more money in people’s pockets, and rebuilding Britain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timeframe for considering improvements to east-west rail links; what progress they have made in providing a regular passenger service on the Hellifield Link between Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

In May 2024 Northern Trains launched the Yorkshire Dales Explorer, which links Manchester and Ribblehead, restoring passenger services to the line between Clitheroe and Hellifield for the first time in more than two decades. Northern has worked with local bus providers to co-ordinate services and with stakeholders including the Yorkshire Dales National Park and rambling groups, who organised walks around the timetable. This service has been a great success and won a silver award in the tourism category at the 2025 Community Rail Awards.

Rail North Partnership and Northern are now working with stakeholders including Lancashire County Council and York & North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to assess whether additional services on this line could be operationally practical and offer value for money.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 10 April (HL6331), whether they have held any meetings with the Port of London Authority in the past 12 months; on what date any such meetings took place; and whether the issue of overhanging residential balconies was discussed.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The department has held many meeting with the PLAs. As one of the most important UK ports, officials and Ministers from across government meet with the Port regularly to discuss a range of issues. I can confirm that the issue of balconies has been raised.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Great British Rail plans to take to help improve (a) travel times, (b) punctuality and (c) passenger experience on the West of England line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Services operated by South Western Railway, which operates the West of England line, will transfer into public ownership when their contract expires on 25 May 2025. Under public ownership, passenger services will be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders.

Bringing train operations into public ownership is the first step in the Government’s plans for wider rail reform. The Railways Bill will be introduced later this session, which will enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). GBR will have the tools and operational independence it needs to plan and run the rail system on a long-term basis to deliver for passengers and freight customers.

Through these reforms we will deliver better quality services for passengers and freight customers, resulting in fewer delays and a timetable that better serves their needs.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for future funding arrangements for the British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve rail services in the West Midlands.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

West Midlands Trains has recently introduced two brand new fleets of high capacity trains in the West Midlands area, with a third new fleet on its West Coast routes starting service shortly. Five new stations are also under construction. Meanwhile, CrossCountry started operating a bigger fleet last weekend, significantly boosting capacity on its network, and all its trains will be fully refurbished in the next three years. A Pay-As-You-Go scheme is being implemented to help deliver seamless journey integration. Longer term, work continues on developing the Midlands Rail Hub scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her plans are for future funding arrangements for British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

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Found: allocation methodology for the 16 to19 Discretionary Bursary fund and driving collaboration between DfT

Found: The Department for Transport (2023) reports that between March 2022 and March 2023, public transport

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Found: The Department for Transport has re-established the Future Flight Industry Group, chaired by the Aviation

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Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 52340 on Government Departments: Equality, in which departments have decisions on EDI spending controls been delegated to their Permanent Secretary.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The following Departments have formally informed the Cabinet Office that their Minister has delegated the decision to approve external Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) expenditure to the Permanent Secretary:

• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

• HM Treasury

• Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Department for Business and Trade

• Cabinet Office

• Home Office

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport

• Department for Transport

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department collects on how children travel to school.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The National Travel Survey, conducted by the Department for Transport, includes data about how children travel to school and is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts03-modal-comparisons.

In February 2025, the department launched a data collection about the home to school travel arrangements local authorities make for eligible children. We are currently analysing the data. Information about home to school travel for eligible children is available in the statutory guidance for local authorities, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to-school-travel-and-transport-guidance.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to publish the attendees at each Freeports Security Forum meeting.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the dates on which the Freeports Security Forum met in the last 12 months.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the membership of the Freeports Security Forum.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with each Freeport Governing Body on their engagement with local security stakeholders.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the capacity of freeport governing bodies to conduct annual security audits.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Freeports Security Forum has provided any recommendations to local Freeports to strengthen their local security apparatus.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish (a) the date on which each Freeport's Annual Freeport Security Audit was received and (b) the Freeport Security Forum's assessment of each of those audits.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) the Freeports Security Forum and (b) any other government body has intervened where a Freeport has (i) underperformed, (ii) become non-compliant with regulations, (iii) presented a security risk and (iv) could not demonstrate robust stewardship of public money.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) withholding and (b) removing access to Freeport policy benefits where there has been continued (i) non-compliance and (ii) non-delivery without an adequate reason.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeport areas are subject to the same laws and regulations safeguarding security as the rest of the UK. A Freeport customs site is a secure, enclosed zone within the wider Freeport geography. All Freeport customs sites are required to obtain AEO(S) or equivalent authorisation from HMRC, an international gold standard for safety and security, and remain subject to robust ongoing oversight from HMRC.

In addition to this, Freeports are required to put in place arrangements for overseeing relevant security arrangements across their geographies, to ensure effective coordination between relevant bodies and provisions. Given Freeports are subject to the same security regime as the rest of the UK, the purpose of these arrangements is coordination, not duplication.

In Spring 2024, these coordination arrangements in all English Freeports were audited by the Freeports Security Forum and recommendations were provided to relevant Freeports, to assist them in achieving best practice on security. The government departments represented on the Freeports Security Forum include Home Office, Border Force, HMRC, the Department for Transport, HMT, the National Crime Agency and Police. There are no plans to publish individual names of attendees on the Security Forum.

On 5 March 2025, the government decided not to conduct a further security audit as no new security risks associated with Freeport status, requiring further mitigation above and beyond the application of UK-wide security laws and regulations, had been identified. Risks associated with customs sites continue to be managed directly by central government through HMRC’s robust oversight arrangements.

Freeports must share information on local arrangements for coordinating security activity with government upon request and the government reserves the right to audit these as required.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the press release entitled PM: North will no longer be held to ransom by broken transport system, published on 28 March 2025, how these projects will be funded.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Where these projects required funding in 25/26, this funding has already been allocated to the Department for Transport. Funding allocations for future years will be set out at the upcoming spending review on June 11th.

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Found: different groups; • Transport improvements, including £23.3 million awarded by the Department for Transport

Found: Crown copyright 2022 ISSN 0309-4278 Published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Department for Transport

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Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

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Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created this series of transport hazard

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created a series of transport hazard summaries

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created this series of transport hazard

Found: The Department for Transport, Met Office and partners have created a series of transport hazard summaries

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: From: Department for Transport and Met Office Published 29 May 2025 Get emails about this

Found: Before the bill becomes law, leaders of Network Rail, DfT Operator Limited (DFTO), and the Department

Found: undertaken leading to the submission of a Major Scheme Business Case for each scheme, which the Department for Transport

Found: DfT statistics show that a record of nearly 3,000 public charging devices were added in April alone –

Found: of all South Western Railway services has transferred into public ownership and is being managed by DfT

Found: For now this will be a subsidiary of the public corporation, DfT Operator Limited (DfTO), which will

Found: In particular, your input into, and support for, the work we have been doing with DfT to make progress

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: of Hillingdon © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Borough Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Buckinghamshire Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: Birmingham City Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (final stage IA; DfT

Found: Office (-15), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (-5), HM Treasury (-5) and the Department for Transport

Found: different groups; • Transport improvements, including £23.3 million awarded by the Department for Transport

Found: sector with support services. 2.2.75 There are 11 major Scottish ports classified under the Department for Transport

Found: (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA); Society of Motor Manufacturers and

Found: The UK Bill is sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). 7.

Found: Welsh Government officials are in contact with colleagues in DfT to share good practice and to understand

Found: 5200667998 -1918618.8 XK50 F2EET Public & Int Trans Current Grants to Central Government bodies DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

Found: • There are some quality issues with the Department for Transport data.