Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, regarding aviation decarbonisation, if she will set out the differences in targets, technological approach, and decarbonisation pathways between the JZS and the CBGDP.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies.

The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050.

We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential economic impact on the UK logistics industry due to the recent changes to the EU's Entry/Exit System, and what actions are the Department taking to minimise disruption.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Entry-Exit System (EES) is an EU border security system being implemented across the EU. The UK Government is making every effort to engage with the EU as they roll out EES, to ensure border fluidity for UK citizens and businesses. This includes supporting ports and carriers to make sure they have the right technology and processes in place so EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.

All UK nationals including lorry and coach drivers are bound by the 90/180 limit on short stays in the Schengen area. This has been the case since the UK left the EU in 2021. We continue to encourage road haulage and coach operators to take the necessary steps to ensure their UK national drivers who work internationally remain within the 90/180 limit.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support local authorities with highway maintenance costs.

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

The Government is committed to tackling the poor state of our roads and has pledged to support local authorities.

By 2029/30, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. For the first time, we have confirmed allocations for four years of funding, enabling local authorities to plan ahead and move away from expensive, short-term repairs and instead invest in proactive and preventative maintenance. This is in addition to the Government’s investment of £1.6 billion in 2025/26, a £500 million increase compared to 2024/25.

Local authorities should prioritise preventative treatments, such as surface dressing and other measures, to stop potholes forming in the first place. This focus on best practice is why a portion of funding is designated as incentive funding. This incentive funding will be subject to local authorities demonstrating that they comply with best practice in highways maintenance, for example by spending all DfT’s capital grant on highways maintenance and adopting more preventative maintenance.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of (a) opening new or (b) reopening former railway stations on economic regeneration of towns in the South Wales coalfield.

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

The Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy committed to deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements in Wales, including the provision of £48 million to the Welsh Government to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and increase connectivity.

The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region, including new and reopened stations. The Board places particular emphasis on initiatives that promote economic development, job creation, and improved housing, ensuring that all projects are supported by a robust business case.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of proposals to re-open the Abertillery spur of the Ebbw Vale Line.

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

The Wales Rail Board works with both the UK and Welsh governments, as well as local transport authorities and community leaders, to identify and advance rail projects that best meet the specific needs of each region.

In relation to the Abertillery Spur, the Wales Rail Board is in receipt of the development work undertaken to date by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Transport for Wales and is considering this in relation to its advice to both governments on service development and investment priorities for Wales.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which organisations will be members of Transport Focus.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Railways Bill will establish a powerful voice for passengers, the Passenger Watchdog, to be grown out of Transport Focus. It will be given significantly stronger powers to become a more effective passenger champion.

In addition to this, Transport Focus will take over the sponsorship of the Rail Ombudsman from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) as well as the ORR's role in setting and monitoring minimum consumer standards which train operators must meet as part of their licence conditions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the age is of Grand Central Rail's current rolling stock.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In March 2025, the Office for Rail and Road reported that average age of Grand Central rolling stock was 23.2 years. In a letter of 26 March 2025, the regulator also approved an extension to Grand Central’s track access contract that included proposals for the phased introduction of new trains by Grand Central throughout 2028.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, regarding aviation decarbonisation, what discussions have been had within the Department about the updating or replacing of the Jet Zero Strategy with other policy documents or approaches.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies.

The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050.

We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, regarding aviation decarbonisation, whether the CBGDP represents the latest modelling of how the Government will achieve a Net Zero pathway for the aviation sector, and supersedes the modelling underpinning the JZS.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies.

The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050.

We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Jet Zero Strategy (JZS) is still used for policy-making on aviation decarbonisation, or whether it has been replaced or superseded by the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP).

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies.

The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050.

We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, regarding aviation decarbonisation, whether the Department plans further modelling beyond that contained within the CBGDP for beyond 2037.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government is progressing a range of measures to support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including supporting sustainable aviation fuels, airspace modernisation and the development of low and zero emission aerospace technologies.

The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (CBGDP), published in October, sets out the Government’s plan for delivering Carbon Budgets 4 – 6 across the whole economy. The CBGDP complements the 2022 Jet Zero Strategy (JZS), the policy document which sets the approach for the aviation sector to achieve net zero by 2050.

We regularly update our aviation modelling and assumptions used in our analysis when new evidence becomes available, including the pathways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The modelling used in the CBGDP is taken from the latest wider modelling of aviation, including emissions, out to 2050. Further versions of updated modelling will be used to inform future publications, including analysis for Carbon Budget 7.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussion her Department is having with relevant stakeholders to help tackle harassment against women and girls on trains in the North East.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Everyone should be able to use the rail network without fearing for their safety. As part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, we have a commitment to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade. The Department is committed to working with the rail industry and the British Transport Police (BTP) to ensure this is the case.

Last month, the Department and Greater Manchester Combined Authority jointly hosted a Safer Streets, Safer Transport Summit which brought together representatives from across the transport industry, Government, local authorities (including the North East Combined Authority), the third sector and policing to commit to taking action against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

BTP officers in the North East attend the local Safer Transport Regional Group and the Violence Against Women and Girls on Transport Partnership Working Group, strengthening collaboration with partners and focusing joint efforts on preventing these offences.

BTP deliver numerous public campaigns to increase VAWG reporting across the network including in the North East. The Rail Delivery Group also delivers its ‘zero tolerance’ campaign, which is aimed at educating people about the different types of sexual harassment and encouraging reporting to the BTP or anonymously to crime stoppers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish the draft statutory Code of Practice governing retail market conduct under Great British Railways; whether she plans to consult on that Code of Practice; and whether that Code will be in place ahead of the commencement of Great British Railways’ retail functions.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The future rail retail industry code of practice will set out clear requirements for how Great British Railways (GBR) interacts with all market participants. It will be owned and managed by the ORR, and GBR’s licence will require compliance with it. The Railways Bill enables the Secretary of State to introduce the licence condition that will underpin the code of practice and give it force.

The government has confirmed that there will be full consultation on the production of the code of practice. Further detail on that consultation will be set out in due course. The Code of Practice will come into force in alignment with GBR's beginning to retail and taking on responsibility for wider retail industry management functions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with National Rail and LNER on alternative platform solutions at Market Rasen on the Lincoln to Cleethorpes East Coast line.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

With rail infrastructure and passenger services being brought together as we progress towards Great British Railways, we expect a fresh assessment of the business case to be made. The aspirations of local communities and stakeholders are noted and will be incorporated as appropriate in future planning assessments, subject to available funding.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance has she given to the British Transport Police Authority on British Transport Police funding in the 2026-27 financial year.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department does not determine the budget for the British Transport Police. The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set independently of the Department by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), following proposals from the Force and views from the industry.

Earlier this year, the Rail Minister convened two high-level roundtable meetings with senior rail industry stakeholders to ensure that funding decisions are informed by a broad range of perspectives. The BTPA has since formalised its industry engagement by creating a strategic forum bringing together representatives from BTP, BTPA, the Department for Transport and the key BTP funders. This provides a platform for constructive dialogue on balancing funding with service expectations, ensuring decisions reflect shared priorities and deliver value for passengers and taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that bus service planning by local authorities considers the needs of older people who can no longer drive.

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

This Government knows that bus services can be a lifeline for many in rural areas and can be the only means of accessing essential services. Action is being taken to help improve local bus services across the country through the Bus Services Act 2025 which has put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders.

In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services across these areas. We expect local authorities to work with bus operators to ensure local bus services deliver for all communities across their area, including those without access to cars, when considering how to improve bus services.

Government does not hold information on the specific number of older people in rural areas who rely solely on bus services for travel. However, the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey and Annual Bus Statistics contain information about the demographics of bus passengers. The latest data from the National Travel Survey can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-travel-survey-statistics, and the Annual Bus Statistics can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of older people in rural areas who rely solely on bus services for travel.

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

This Government knows that bus services can be a lifeline for many in rural areas and can be the only means of accessing essential services. Action is being taken to help improve local bus services across the country through the Bus Services Act 2025 which has put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders.

In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services across these areas. We expect local authorities to work with bus operators to ensure local bus services deliver for all communities across their area, including those without access to cars, when considering how to improve bus services.

Government does not hold information on the specific number of older people in rural areas who rely solely on bus services for travel. However, the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey and Annual Bus Statistics contain information about the demographics of bus passengers. The latest data from the National Travel Survey can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-travel-survey-statistics, and the Annual Bus Statistics can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34154, if she will launch that review.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The government is considering plans to review the existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing in a manner that takes account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. More details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help prepare the maritime sector for the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We are working closely with the sector as part of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority to ensure that maritime operators will be sufficiently prepared to join UK ETS from July next year.

Regulators are running a voluntary onboarding period from next month which will help the sector engage with the ETS ahead of July and give them extra time to become familiar with how it works.

Additionally, the Authority will allow for ‘double-surrender’ for maritime operators for the first two scheme years, giving maritime operators extra time to familiarise themselves with UK ETS, and the digital systems.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2025 to question 85843, whether she is considering requiring drivers to register with their home local authority validated by checking council tax, electoral roll and credit reference data.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill seeks to introduce powers to set national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. If passed, national minimum standards would enable government to set robust standards for licensing across England, to keep all members of the public safe, wherever they live or travel. It would also help reduce the variability of licensing standards across the country, which is a significant factor in inducing drivers to licence with an authority other than that in which they intend to work.

The Department continues to consider further options for reform, including out-of-area working and enforcement. We need to ensure that taxis and PHVs are able to work in a way that facilitates the journeys passengers want and need to make, in a consistently safe way, whilst achieving the best overall outcomes for passenger safety.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83372 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, if she will publish the evidential basis behind the conclusion that the electric vehicle pavement channels grant is not a subsidy.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We have assessed the grant under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and determined that it is not a subsidy.

A subsidy is financial assistance that conforms with the four tests set out in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 2(1) of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. In this case, funding will be issued to local authorities who will pay for the installation of cross-pavement solutions at the appropriate market rate for this service. Payments for such installations will not ‘confer an economic advantage on one or more enterprises’ as set out in section 2(1)(b) of the Act, because installers will be paid at the market rate for such services. To the extent that residents who receive pavement channels are the indirect beneficiaries of the fund, they are not ‘Enterprises’ according to the Act.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what contingency plans her Department has for mitigating the impact on the planned 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans if the delivery of 300,000 operational public electric vehicle charge points by that date is not achieved.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The National Audit Office’s report last year outlined that the number of public chargepoints being installed is on track to meet 300,000 chargepoints by 2030. The majority of these will be delivered by industry, which has already committed £6 billion of private sector investment in UK charging infrastructure before 2030.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of whether it is possible to carbon offset all flights; and what are the commercial or other mechanisms for doing so.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is supportive of the role of carbon markets in driving cost-effective decarbonisation of the aviation sector, including through the global carbon offsetting scheme, CORSIA, and aviation’s inclusion in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Such measures complement other Government action to achieve net zero aviation by 2050, including on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and airspace modernisation.

Airlines may also choose to offset their emissions voluntarily or offer this to customers. The Government supports businesses engaging with voluntary carbon markets in a way that complements deep emissions cuts, using high-integrity credits to finance additional climate action where immediate abatement is not possible.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set out any outcomes from the most recent meeting of the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Aviation Safety, held on the 26th November 2025.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The outcomes of the meeting will be published online when the minutes are finalised and agreed between the UK and EU.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions have taken place with EU counterparts to discuss exemptions or streamlined processes for UK HGV drivers under the Entry/Exit System.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

EES is being implemented by the EU to improve border security. Ultimately, any exemptions or amendments to Schengen rules, which EES will reinforce, are a matter for Member States and the EU.

Whilst the UK Government is making every effort to engage with the EU as they roll out their implementation of EES, EES is not a UK Government initiative. The Government has been supporting ports and carriers to make sure they have the right technology and processes in place so EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible. The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the car insurance taskforce has made on its work; and when he expects it to report.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government is committed to tackling the high costs of motor insurance. The cross-government motor insurance taskforce, launched in October 2024, has been comprised of ministers from relevant government departments, the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. It has been supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sectors.

This taskforce had the strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums.

The taskforce’s final report is intended to be published shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities to ensure that major transport infrastructure upgrades are delivered effectively in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

My officials hold regular meetings with Surrey County Council to discuss transport in Surrey. We will shortly announce the regional allocations for the majority of the transport funding announced in the Spending Review. We have informed Surrey County Council of their allocation of the Local Transport Grant which is £38.19 million for the period from April 2026 to April 2030 for local transport improvements.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90824 on Great British Railways: Disclosure of Information, whether the data published by the Office of Rail and Road will include annual figures on passenger complaints and the number of those complaints resolved.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Office of Rail and Road currently publishes the number of complaints closed by train operators on a bi-annual basis. There is no distinction between the number of complaints received and the number resolved.

Train operators are obliged to provide certain information to the ORR as part of their current licence agreements. In the future, the Passenger Watchdog will set the consumer standards in the licences, including standards on complaint handling and reporting. While the detail of what data operators must share after GBR is established is to be decided, we do not expect any reduction in the level of transparency of complaints data.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the consultation outcome entitled Lowering the minimum age requirement for train drivers from 20 to 18 – outcome, updated on 7 May 2025, when she plans to respond to the coordinated implementation plan submitted by the industry.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department intends to make an announcement shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how her Department will measure the impact of the Railways Bill on private sector innovation in the rail industry; and what baseline data has been established to assess the impact of that Bill on levels of innovation.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Establishing GBR through the Railways Bill will provide an integrated approach and greater longer-term certainty for rail, giving the private sector the confidence it needs to invest and support innovation throughout the sector. The Railways Bill Impact Assessment provides an assessment of the potential impacts of the rail reform policies within the Railways Bill, including the impacts on Business Environment.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what analysis she has undertaken of the impact of the Railways Bill on private sector investment and innovation within the rail industry; and if she will publish that analysis.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Establishing GBR through the Railways Bill will provide an integrated approach and greater longer-term certainty for rail, giving the private sector the confidence it needs to invest and support innovation throughout the sector. The Railways Bill Impact Assessment provides an assessment of the potential impacts of the rail reform policies within the Railways Bill, including the impacts on Business Environment.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned cuts to British Transport Police (a) staffing and (b) stations due to the 2025/26 funding shortfall on the level of (i) passenger and (ii) staff safety and security.

Answered by Keir Mather - 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. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

For the FY25/26, a budget increase of 5.9% was agreed. The BTPA will set the Force’s budget for 2026/27 this month. BTP’s budget has increased by £87million since 2021/22.

Like other police forces the BTP have operational independence, so the BTP Chief Constable and Chief Officers use a variety of data to inform the deployment of officers and other resources, following the agreement of the budget. Decision over staffing and stations resourcing are reviewed regularly by the BTP under their optimal policing model.

The Department is committed to working with the BTP and rail industry to ensure the railway remains safe for passengers and staff, thanks to the efforts of officers and rail staff working tirelessly across the network.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support ports wishing to offer onshore power supply connections to cruise line customers.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

On 25 March, the Government published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy and a call for evidence on Net Zero Ports. This call for evidence focused on potential options to reduce emissions from vessels at berth and how ports are managing their future energy demand, including the provision of shore power to customers such as cruise operators. We are considering the responses to the call for evidence and will set out next steps in due course.

In September, we announced an additional £448m of Research and Development investment for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme. Through previous rounds of UK SHORE funding, we have already funded shore power projects, including nearly £20m for a shore power installation at Portsmouth International Port, which will soon allow visiting cruise ships to connect. Future rounds of funding will continue to support clean maritime solutions.

Given the importance of securing grid connections to providing shore power, the Government is working closely with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator on fundamental reforms to the connections process, which will reduce the connections queue and prioritise progressing viable projects.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the funding uplift necessary to restore the number of British Transport Police police officers to 2009/10 levels.

Answered by Keir Mather - 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. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

For the FY25/26, a budget increase of 5.9% was agreed. The British Transport Police Authority will set the Force’s budget for 2026/27 this month.

Like other police forces the BTP has operational independence, so it is for the BTP Chief Constable and Chief Officers to use a variety of data to inform the deployment of officers and other resources, following the agreement of the budget.

The Department has no role in determining the optimal numbers of BTP officers to meet their strategic plans as agreed with the BTPA.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a) simplifying the application process for Bus Passes for disabled passengers, b) removing the time restrictions, and c) ensuring the availability of companion passes in all areas.

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

The Government remains committed to ensuring the concessionary travel system is inclusive and enables disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity.

Under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), eligible disabled people are entitled to free off-peak bus travel between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Local authorities are responsible for administering applications for disabled bus passes. To support them in this process, the Department provides guidance on assessing eligibility.

The ENCTS costs £795 million annually and any changes to statutory obligations would require careful consideration of the scheme’s financial sustainability. However, local authorities have discretion to offer additional concessions, such as extending travel times or providing companion passes, funded from local resources.

The Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Local authorities can use this funding in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including enhancing concessionary travel locally.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) spending by the rail industry on private security and (b) her Department's funding for the British Transport Police.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department is committed to working with the rail industry as we move towards the creation of Great British Railways to ensure that security provision on the network keeps staff and passengers safe. The Department are currently undertaking analysis of private security spend by the 14 train operating companies that have been or are due to be nationalised.

The British Transport Police (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). BTP's costs are passed on to individual Train Operating Companies and Network Rail. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

In the year 2025/26 BTP received a 5.9% budget increase. The budget for 2026/27 will be set by the BTPA imminently following engagement with the rail industry. Like other police forces the BTP has operational independence, so the BTP Chief Constable and Chief Officers use a variety of data to inform the deployment of officers and other resources, following the agreement of the budget.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating the collection of STATS19 national collision statistics to allow for differentiation between e-bikes, bikes and motorcycles within collisions.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Currently the recording of e-bikes within STATS19 follows the relevant legislation, the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983, with officers encouraged in the STATS19 guidance (known as STATS20) to use an accompanying free text field to provide further details where possible.

The Standing Committee on Road Injury Collision Statistics (SCRICS), which oversees the STATS19 collection, is currently reviewing the recording of vehicle and propulsion types within STATS19 with a view to providing better guidance to reporting police officers on the classification of e-bikes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure income generated from speed enforcement is spent on roads maintenance and roads policing.

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

The Department for Transport currently has no plans to bring forward proposals that would allow income generated from speed enforcement to fund specific road maintenance or road policing measures. Money from fines and penalty receipts, including those for speeding, is paid to the Treasury and goes into the Consolidated Fund.

The Consolidated Fund supports general expenditure on public services, which includes services that benefit motorists, such as policing, local government grants, and transport.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on prioritising access to the national grid for port electrification, including in relation to onshore power supply for ferries and cruise ships.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Reforming the connections process and investing in the grid is a key Government priority. This includes reforms that are expected to deprioritise over half of the existing queue based on readiness and strategic alignment with our strategy as set out in Clean Power 2030.

Department for Transport Ministers and officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. These include discussions on the significance of getting sufficient grid capacity to electrify ports, for cruise and ferries to use shore power and policy options to accelerate connection dates for strategic demand customers, such as critical port sites. This is informed by the Department for Transport call for evidence on Net Zero Ports, published in March 2025, which posed questions on managing future energy demand at ports.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support North East Lincolnshire Council to complete the long-overdue repairs and re-open Corporation Bridge in Great Grimsby.

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

The Department is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and renewing the local highway network, which is why by 2029/30, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually in local highways maintenance funding, doubling funding since coming into office. For the first time, we have confirmed allocations for four years of funding, enabling local authorities to plan ahead and move away from expensive, short-term repairs and instead investment in proactive and preventative maintenance.

In addition to this, the Spending Review announced £1 billion for key local highway enhancement projects and a new Structures Fund for repairing run down bridges, decaying flyovers and worn out tunnels.

I know that the work on Corporation Road Bridge has been ongoing since the beginning of 2022 and has faced significant challenges including a change of contractor which has led to considerable delays to these works. My officials are liaising with North East Lincolnshire Council Officers and I'm pleased to hear a new contractor has been appointed with the bridge likely to be reopened in December of next year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of legal protections against assaults at work for public transport workers.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker. Public transport workers and the wider public should be assured that where offenders commit acts of violence they will be arrested and brought before the courts. The British Transport Police have a specific remit to protect all rail staff and passengers.

Public transport workers do of course already have extensive protection in existing legislation such as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 which also covers more serious violence such as actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH), and courts must already consider offences against public facing workers as an aggravating factor under the Police Crime and Sentencing Act 2022. We therefore do not believe that any further legal protections are necessary or would reduce assaults.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made on (a) value for money and (b) quality of service of bringing outsourced rail security provision in-house as contracts expire.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Ensuring value for money is a requirement for all DfT contracted train operators. Publicly owned train operators also have a duty to follow the guidance on managing public money.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is supporting research into Soil Moisture Deficit forecasting and monitoring technologies.

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

High soil moisture deficit levels within earthworks arise when the earth has become dried out following prolonged dry hot weather, leading to the soil shrinking and cracks developing within. If this is followed by a period of extreme or prolonged rainfall, water entering these cracks can lead to rapid failure of the earthworks.

Network Rail has commissioned an active nationwide monitoring regime using remote sensors, modelling and geotechnical assessments to monitor slope stability across the network. It has also supported academic research, such as the ACHILLES programme, to further industry understanding on the loss of material strength from repeated cycles of wetting and drying. Intelligence from such research is fed into strategic whole life costing modelling to inform future renewal and maintenance activities. At the same time, Network Rail is engaging in proactive measures to reinforce embankments in high-risk areas and reduce water retention and erosion.

Together, these measures should reduce the risk of earthworks failure and improve the long-term resilience of these assets despite the increasing number of extreme weather events that are expected due to climate change.

I am aware that this issue has been particularly problematic on the West of England Line. I am assured by Network Rail that conditions are improving and that it plans to restore a full timetable from 29th November.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a standalone offence of assaulting a public transport worker.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There is no place for abuse or assault of any worker. Public transport workers and the wider public should be assured that where offenders commit acts of violence they will be arrested and brought before the courts. The British Transport Police have a specific remit to protect all rail staff and passengers.

Public transport workers do of course already have extensive protection in existing legislation such as the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 which also covers more serious violence such as actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH), and courts must already consider offences against public facing workers as an aggravating factor under the Police Crime and Sentencing Act 2022. We therefore do not believe that creating a specific offence would have the intended purpose of reducing assaults.

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Found: AECN0065 - Airport expansion and climate and nature targets Department for Transport Written Evidence

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Found: Government Association (LGA) these organisations are able to work with, and help, the DfE and Department for Transport

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Found: 9.5 To DfT and LAs: What are the PSVAR and AIR transition plans with operators to avoid supply shocks

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Found: Letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport relating to HS2, 01 December 2025

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Found: Departments through their R&D budgets, in particular when you are talking about sensing, Department for Transport

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department monitors the impact of highway runoff on rivers and lakes.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) has a monitoring regime that sets out to identify pressures on rivers and lakes as well as estuaries and coasts and groundwaters. This involves monitoring (of water quality, chemicals and ecology) to determine reasons for not achieving good ecological or chemical status. This includes understanding the risk posed by the category ‘Urban and transport’, which road runoff is a key component of.

Monitoring undertaken is not designed to specifically monitor the impact of highway runoff on rivers and lakes. The EA is working with National Highways under the Department for Transport, to evolve its monitoring strategy that is to be focused on highways outfalls, where highway runoff enters watercourses.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Secretary of State for Transport regarding cross-government action to address illegal levels of nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles fitted with defeat devices.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engages regularly with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Secretary of State for Transport (DfT) on climate change mitigation. Transport policy, including transport emissions, is led by DfT. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Department for Transport on improving the quality and quantity of trains on the line between Aberystwyth and Birmingham via Telford.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

I have regular discussions with the Transport Secretary on a range of issues.

Services and rolling stock on the line between Aberystwyth and Birmingham, via Telford, are the responsibility of Transport for Wales and my officials engage regularly with colleagues in Transport for Wales.

The UK Government is investing at least £445 million into Welsh rail to right years of underfunding by previous governments and unleash Wales’ economic potential.

This will mean new stations, more and faster trains across Wales, improving cross border connectivity, connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales and cross border areas.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential lessons learned from other countries on tackling historic diesel emissions; and how this informs the UK’s approach to integrating transport-sector emissions into its climate policy framework.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Transport policy, including on diesel vehicle emissions, is led by the Department for Transport (DfT). The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) engages regularly with DfT on climate change mitigation, including consideration of diesel vehicle emissions.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to help support the maritime sector.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra, including arms length bodies such as the Marine Management Organisation, supports maritime industries through a range of policy and operational activities. This includes the marine licensing system, work to support growth in offshore wind, our Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme and other marine, fisheries and environmental policies. In doing this we work closely with other Government Departments including Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Transport, Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of costs for the haulage industry.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Department for Transport regularly engages with road haulage industry associations and wider industry to understand the financial challenges faced by the sector.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Department for Transport and (b) offshore helicopter transport operators on advice that HM Coastguard has supplied to the oil and gas industry on Search and Rescue helicopter winching systems.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to increase targeted road-safety enforcement in areas of South Basildon and East Thurrock where collisions are most frequent.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Any form of dangerous or inconsiderate driving behaviour is a serious issue. We expect all drivers to follow the rules of the road.

The Government is committed to improving road safety and reducing collisions across the country.

The Department for Transport are developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade, which will include a broad range of proposals, including for motoring offences which we intend to publish by the end of the year.

How the police enforce road traffic legislation and investigate road traffic collisions locally are operational matters for Chief Constables, in consultation with Police and Crime Commissioners.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 89631 on Driving under Influence: Testing, if she will publish all assessment her Department has made of the impact of the absence of any data on drug testing on road safety policy and enforcement.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect data on tests conducted by police for drug driving.

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade and intends to publish by the end of the year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 89631 on Driving under Influence: Testing, whether her Department will begin collecting and publishing data on tests conducted by police for drug driving.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office does not collect data on tests conducted by police for drug driving.

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade and intends to publish by the end of the year.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of dangerous driving offences in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is completely unacceptable and there are tough penalties in place and we expect the police to enforce them. Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade which they intend to publish by the end of the year. This includes the case for changing motoring offences, such as drink and drug driving.

Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides the police the power to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. The use of these powers is an operational matter for the police.

Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual is guilty of an offence if their ability to drive is impaired by drink or drugs.

The Government continues to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The Government’s flagship road safety campaign THINK! aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales, by changing attitudes and behaviours. The Government launched a drug drive awareness campaign to coincide with THINK! for the first time on 24 November.

The campaign will be supported by coordinated enforcement activity by the police under Operation Limit, which aims to tackle drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) alcohol and (b) drug impairment on road safety in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is completely unacceptable and there are tough penalties in place and we expect the police to enforce them. Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade which they intend to publish by the end of the year. This includes the case for changing motoring offences, such as drink and drug driving.

Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides the police the power to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. The use of these powers is an operational matter for the police.

Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual is guilty of an offence if their ability to drive is impaired by drink or drugs.

The Government continues to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The Government’s flagship road safety campaign THINK! aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales, by changing attitudes and behaviours. The Government launched a drug drive awareness campaign to coincide with THINK! for the first time on 24 November.

The campaign will be supported by coordinated enforcement activity by the police under Operation Limit, which aims to tackle drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to police forces to tackle driving offences linked to (a) alcohol and (b) drug use in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is completely unacceptable and there are tough penalties in place and we expect the police to enforce them. Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade which they intend to publish by the end of the year. This includes the case for changing motoring offences, such as drink and drug driving.

Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides the police the power to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. The use of these powers is an operational matter for the police.

Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual is guilty of an offence if their ability to drive is impaired by drink or drugs.

The Government continues to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The Government’s flagship road safety campaign THINK! aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales, by changing attitudes and behaviours. The Government launched a drug drive awareness campaign to coincide with THINK! for the first time on 24 November.

The campaign will be supported by coordinated enforcement activity by the police under Operation Limit, which aims to tackle drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) local authorities and (b) police forces in promoting road safety in Surrey over the festive period.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is completely unacceptable and there are tough penalties in place and we expect the police to enforce them. Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK

The Department for Transport is developing a Road Safety Strategy, the first in a decade which they intend to publish by the end of the year. This includes the case for changing motoring offences, such as drink and drug driving.

Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides the police the power to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. The use of these powers is an operational matter for the police.

Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, an individual is guilty of an offence if their ability to drive is impaired by drink or drugs.

The Government continues to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The Government’s flagship road safety campaign THINK! aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales, by changing attitudes and behaviours. The Government launched a drug drive awareness campaign to coincide with THINK! for the first time on 24 November.

The campaign will be supported by coordinated enforcement activity by the police under Operation Limit, which aims to tackle drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 93956 on Driving Tests, what is the estimated total cost of the Ministry of Defence charges to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for the use of 36 defence driving examiners for one day per week over a 12-month period.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

In response to a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities request from the Department for Transport, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has agreed to provide 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) to conduct driving tests for one day a week for 12 months. This support will seek to reduce current civilian driving test wait times.

Actual costs will be calculated and charged following the completion of this support, the estimated cost is approximately £100,000. The MOD has agreed to charge marginal costs, rather than full costs, in line with HM Treasury guidelines as set out in JDP 02 UK Operations: the Defence Contribution to Resilience.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will consider consulting on increasing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) which have not increased since their introduction in 2004.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The responsibility for local authority penalty charge notice caps is shared between my department and the Department for Transport. The Government will be looking at penalty charge notice caps outside London. The findings from the parking sector’s own research into this issue, as well as the recent trial of higher parking penalties in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will inform that process.

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We are calling on the Department for Transport and Network Rail to urgently introduce airport-style security at major train stations across the UK. This could include:
• Metal detectors and bag scanners at station entrances
• Visible security presence and random screening at smaller stations

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Found: On 10 April 2019, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that Abellio East Midlands Limited (AEML

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