Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the road safety and crime prevention benefits of introducing compulsory number plates for motor-assisted cycles.

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

“Motor-assisted cycles” or e-bikes as they are otherwise referred to, are only road-legal where they comply in full of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. This includes their maximum assisted speed being limited to 15.5mph.

Where the above regulations are not complied with, the e-bike is treated as a motor vehicle. This means it must be approved and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, as a well as being taxed and insured. It must therefore have a compulsory number plate in order to be legally ridden on the road as a motor vehicle.

It would not be practical to fit compulsory number plates to e-bikes which are road-legal in their own right. The Department previously considered the case for such a system for of all cyclists and concluded that the costs and complexities of introducing it would far outweigh the benefits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities to reduce road congestion, improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

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

Assessments of the benefits of expanding local rail services to local economies, and of increasing rail services into cities, are assessed on a case-by-case basis to reflect local economic conditions, using Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Expanded local rail services can help drive local economic growth by opening up new development opportunities, unlocking housing, reducing costs for businesses and supporting people into work. TAG is used to assess the wider benefits of rail interventions including reduced road congestion, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.

The Government recognises the crucial role rail plays in delivering these benefits and is backing rail with the funding needed. The 2025 spending review committed £10.2 billion provided for rail enhancements in the period over the next four years.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his planned timetable is for informing local transport authorities of their Local Transport Grant allocation.

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

The Local Transport Grant (LTG) is a £2.3bn grant for local transport enhancements and maintenance, comprising both capital and resource funding from 2026/27 onwards. The grant is allocated to local transport authorities in England outside of London and areas that receive City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) or Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding.

In June, individual local transport authority allocations for the £2.2bn of LTG capital funding were published on gov.uk, covering the years 2026/27 to 2029/30. In September, allocations for the remaining £104m of LTG resource funding were published, covering the years 2026/27 to 2028/29.

Further transport funding allocations for local transport authorities from 2026/27 onwards, including for highways maintenance, buses and active travel, will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government which special orders the Secretary of State has made under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in connection with the Baker Viaduct project; and for each special order, what were the date of the movement, the length and width of the load, the site where the piece was manufactured, its destination, and details of the abnormality which brought it outside of the provisions of the Road Vehicles Authorisation of Special Types (General) Order 2003.

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

I can confirm that no special exemptions have been issued for the Baker Viaduct Project under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the mixed use railways team at Network Rail is being dissolved; and if so, what assessment they have made on the impact of that dissolution on the ability of light rail vehicles to operate on parts of the main line rail network.

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

Network Rail’s regional teams lead on the development of projects, including light rail proposals. Network Rail has light rail expertise centrally that supports the regions in the operation, design and implementation of light rail projects. The required resource level of this team will be reviewed as the project pipeline develops.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government where the Great British Railways signature station clock will be produced.

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

The railway timepiece unveiled at London Bridge station on 16 October was the result of an international competition run by Network Rail. The winning team ‘Design Bridge and Partners’ are based in London. The clock in London Bridge was built in Tamworth.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people signed up to take part in the digital rail tickets trial scheme between Harrogate and Leeds (a) before and (b) after it began.

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

The Digital Pay As You Go trials are an opportunity for passengers to test cutting-edge technology and benefit from simpler, more flexible tickets.

We have had good engagement from passengers across the trial routes so far, with 656 users on Trial 2. Before launch, 582 passengers expressed taking part in this trial. The Department and delivery partners are pushing for as close to 1000 participants per trial as possible to gather passenger views and effectively evaluate this innovative technology.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much of the planned £5 million towards the feasibility study for the extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle has been released to Scottish Borders Council.

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

Earlier this year, the Department reaffirmed its commitment of up to £5m towards feasibility work on the extension of the Borders Railway. As part of this, the Department has allocated c. £130k of funding to support the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case to explore ways to improve public transport across the region.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support transport workers who have been assaulted while at work.

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

Violence or abuse against public transport workers is unacceptable. The Government is committed to ensuring that staff across the network not only feel safe but are safe while carrying out their duties. The Department for Transport works closely with the transport industry and, on the railways, with the British Transport Police to maintain a safe environment for both staff and passengers.

Through the Bus Services (No.2) Act, we proposed to mandate training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. We will make clear that training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so.

Rail operators take the personal safety of their staff seriously, with help given by the Department where required. Many have internal support systems in place for workers who have been assaulted or suffered abuse at work. In addition, whenever a crime is reported the police will signpost independent victim support services that the worker can contact at anytime for help and support.

It is essential that staff continue to report any instances of abuse or violence to the police so it can be investigated and offenders brought to justice. The British Transport Police are the dedicated police service for the railway and one of their priorities is ensuring it remains a safe place for staff and they will actively pursue offenders who abuse or are violent towards staff.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the changes to income thresholds in the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, HC 997, published on 1 July 2025, on the number of people employed on Skilled Worker Visas who no longer have leave to remain.

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

The Department currently sponsors 26 staff on skilled worker visas.  As and when each sponsorship ends, we consider individuals on a case-by-case basis under the UK’s sponsorship rules.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost was of the (a) rebrand, (b) design, (c) production and (d) promotion of the rebranded See it. Say it. Sorted. campaign.

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

The total cost for the relaunch of the See It. Say It. Sorted. campaign was £333,751.00 (+ VAT). This was the first update of the campaign since its launch in 2016.

Rail operators are mandated by security regulations to print and disseminate the campaign materials at their own cost, so there are no additional costs of production or promotion.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Cheshire West and Chester Council on (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

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

The Department regularly engages with local highway authorities and their representative bodies, such as the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) and the Local Government Association (LGA) on matters relating to highway maintenance.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not had direct discussions with Halton Borough Council on road maintenance or pothole repairs in Runcorn, or with Cheshire West and Chester Council on road maintenance or pothole repairs in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

In March, the Prime Minister announced that in order to receive their full share of this year's £500m uplift in highways maintenance funding, local highway authorities have to publish a report on their maintenance plans and demonstrate how they are complying with best practice in highways maintenance. Both councils have published these reports, which can be found on their websites.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Halton Borough Council on (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in Runcorn.

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

The Department regularly engages with local highway authorities and their representative bodies, such as the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) and the Local Government Association (LGA) on matters relating to highway maintenance.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not had direct discussions with Halton Borough Council on road maintenance or pothole repairs in Runcorn, or with Cheshire West and Chester Council on road maintenance or pothole repairs in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

In March, the Prime Minister announced that in order to receive their full share of this year's £500m uplift in highways maintenance funding, local highway authorities have to publish a report on their maintenance plans and demonstrate how they are complying with best practice in highways maintenance. Both councils have published these reports, which can be found on their websites.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that UK airports provide autism-friendly (a) facilities and (b) support; and whether she plans to introduce national standards for accessibility provision for neurodiverse passengers.

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

Aviation must be accessible to all. To support this, the Department for Transport established the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, which published 19 recommendations on 16 July to improve aviation accessibility.

Two of these focus on non-visible impairments, including neurodivergence. One calls for pan-impairment requirements in airport accessibility reviews to ensure facilities, services, and support meet the needs of all passengers. The other recommends awareness campaigns to build confidence among passengers with non-visible impairments and improve understanding among staff and the public.

The Group will now support the sector in championing and implementing these recommendations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Welsh Government about the construction of a third road bridge across the Menai Strait.

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

There have been no recent discussions between His Majesty's Government (HMG) and Welsh Government regarding a possible third road bridge across the Menai strait. HMG, through the Union Connectivity Development Fund, provided some financial support to Transport for Wales to undertake a study of the resilience of the existing Menai crossings.

The maintenance and improvement of the road network in Wales is a matter devolved to the Welsh Government.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of assaults on public transport in Devon.

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

The Department for Transport is working with industry to ensure that public transport is a safe environment for staff and passengers.

BTP are responsible for policing the railway, and they deploy their officers across the network, including in Devon, based on intelligence led briefings with daily taskings to provide reassurance to the public. BTP regularly carry out joint operations with Devon and Cornwall Police under Operation Servator which includes high visibility patrols at key railway infrastructure locations and known incident hotspots.

Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, we propose to mandate training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport. We intend to make clear that training will require a person to take steps to prevent crime or anti-social behaviour only where it is safe to do so.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is she taking to a) support and b) encourage new open access rail applications.

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

We want a rail sector that is innovative and provides greater connectivity and understand that Open Access can support this aim. That is why we have been clear that we will support Open Access in the right circumstances, and why my department stands ready to engage with Open Access operators to assess the financial, operational and performance impacts of individual applications on a case-by-case basis. We will, however, only provide support to individual applications where benefits clearly outweigh costs to taxpayers and do not impact upon the efficient operation of the network.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 65284 on Railways: West Midlands, what assessment she made of the potential impact of the Midlands rail hub on (a) capacity and (b) connectivity with the Sutton Park line.

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

Midlands Rail Hub creates the capacity for additional trains benefiting rail users across the region; it does not propose any changes to the Sutton Park Line.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has held recent discussions with (a) DB Cargo and (b) railway preservation groups on preserving the 58050 locomotive.

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

Freight operators are private sector companies who lease or own their rolling stock. Any such decisions relating to the preservation of locomotives would be a commercial matter for those freight operators.

The department has not held any recent discussions with DB Cargo or railways preservation groups regarding the preservation of the 58050 locomotive.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what conditions for night time rail freight movements have been placed on the Oxford to Milton Keynes stretch of East West Rail.

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

A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many night time freight movements are permitted on East West Rail.

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

A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the (a) misuse (b) abuse and (c) theft of blue badges in Greater Manchester.

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

Local authorities have powers under the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000, for local authorities to withdraw a badge if the holder consistently misuses it or allows it to be misused by others. Similarly, authorities have the power to withdraw the badge if the holder ceases to be eligible, for example because their impairment has improved or because they obtained the badge by false representation.

The Department provides non-statutory guidance to local authorities on operating the scheme, including advice on enforcing the scheme, and regularly engages with local authority stakeholder groups to help share best practice.

It also works closely with organisations such as the British Parking Association (BPA) and Disabled Motoring UK (DM:UK), who advocate for stronger enforcement powers and better data sharing between councils. These efforts have led to increased penalties and prosecutions for misuse, and the confiscation of fraudulent or stolen badges.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) local authorities to reduce regional variations in transport support for disabled people.

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

The Government recognises the importance of accessible transport to enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. As part of our broader mission to break down barriers to opportunity, we recognise that more needs to be done to ensure transport is accessible to all, and we are committed to driving this change.

We are working closely with other government departments, operators, local authorities and passengers to achieve this – including through regularly meeting with the other lead ministers for disability to ensure we are doing all we can to remove barriers for disabled people.

We are committed to developing an Accessible Travel Charter. The charter is a commitment to a shared vision for accessible travel. It will aim to set out what disabled travellers can expect from their journeys and what to do when standards aren’t met, share best practice across organisations and create consistency in end-to-end journeys for disabled travellers. It will be co-designed by a range of stakeholders including local authorities to ensure it is achievable and impactful locally and nationally. The Accessible Travel Charter and our accessibility focus as a department is committed to making journeys accessible for all, irrespective of location or disability.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions has she had with Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway since their open access application was rejected in July 2025.

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

My Department provided its support for Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway’s (WSMR) original application in February 2025 and officials have met with WSMR since July to discuss its views regarding the regulator’s decision to reject their application due to lack of capacity on the West Coast Main Line.

The Department respects the ORR’s ruling and acknowledges that large areas of the network are already operating at full capacity, but remains open to further engagement with WSMR – and other Open Access operators – as may be required in the future.

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 requiring train operating companies to guarantee an adequate level of family-friendly design on new trains.

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

In advance of establishing Great British Railways, the Government is developing a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy, which will be the first for over 30 years. The strategy will set out our assessment of the likely long-term future rolling stock needs, and how those needs can best be met.

Passengers will be at the heart of the strategy. It will move us towards more consistent and accessible train designs that meet the needs of the passengers that use them, including families.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of service reliability on annual passenger footfall at Narborough Station since 2019.

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

Unreliable rail services disrupt passengers’ journeys and undermine passenger confidence. This is why we are taking steps to improve train service performance across the country to better deliver for passengers. Passenger numbers across all CrossCountry routes are similar to those that were seen in 2019. Office of Rail and Road figures show growth in demand at Narborough station, with an estimated 240,000 entries and exits in the 2023-24 financial year. This is an increase of 32,000 on the year before.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made on the appointment of a new CEO of DfT Operator Limited.

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

The contract for the current CEO of DfT Operator Limited is due to end in December 2025. In preparation for this, work is continuing to recruit a new CEO to ensure continued leadership for the organisation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when passenger services from Oxford to Milton Keynes will commence on East West Rail.

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

The Department is working closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary authorisations and agreements are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the Midlands Rail Hub West Chord link; and when this work will be completed.

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

In the 2025 Spending Review the Chancellor committed to progress the next stage of Midlands Rail Hub, building on £123m previously released. Network Rail are procuring a contractor to design and build the scheme. The western scope of MRH is due to be completed in the early 2030s.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) reliability and (b) punctuality of CrossCountry services operating between Birmingham, Leicester and Stansted Airport.

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

CrossCountry train services were not reliable enough in 2024 and the operator was subject to a Remedial Plan from August 2024 to March 2025. Since January 2025, CrossCountry train service performance has generally improved, although issues remain on Sundays. The Rail Minister has met CrossCountry Directors who are well aware that there is more for them to do. A new senior management team at CrossCountry is taking steps to address underlying issues within the business. We expect to see improvements for passengers, and will continue to hold the operator to account for delivery of the contractual performance benchmarks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost per tonne of carbon dioxide reduction achieved through the Revenue Certainty Mechanism compared to other Sustainable Aviation Fuel pathways; and what assessment she has made of the value for money of this policy for taxpayers.

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

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate is the UK’s key policy to decarbonise jet fuel, and could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings in 2040. The SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) will support investment in UK SAF production and delivery of SAF Mandate targets. The relevant greenhouse gas savings have been accounted for in the SAF Mandate’s Cost-Benefit Analysis.

The Government is committed to delivering value for money. The RCM will be funded via a variable levy on aviation fuel suppliers. The Government will actively monitor and control scheme costs, including through the setting of strike prices and by controlling the scale and number of contracts awarded, and it has set out the potential costs and benefits that may arise from the RCM scheme in the Cost-Benefit Analysis, published in May 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has received proposals on improving the (a) reliability, (b) capacity and (c) frequency of services serving Narborough station from CrossCountry.

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

We expect operators to plan services balancing the need to meet expected passenger demand, improve train service performance, be affordable and provide value for money for taxpayers. Office of Rail and Road station statistics show that service reliability at Narborough has generally improved in the eight weeks to 13 September 2025. Officials monitor CrossCountry performance closely and will continue to hold them to account for delivery of the contractual performance benchmarks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of UK-based sustainable aviation fuel production facilities that have commenced construction since July 2022; and how many jobs have been created through those production facilities.

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

Through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) the government is providing funding to support first-of-a-kind commercial and demonstration-scale SAF projects in the UK. The Government is also introducing a revenue certainty mechanism to support UK-based SAF projects secure successful final investment decisions. The Department estimates that low carbon fuels production can support up to 15,000 jobs in the UK by 2050.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 28 July (HL9720), how many fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over operating on the high seas they intend to declare following the United Kingdom's ratification of the International Maritime Organization 2012 Cape Town Agreement for the safety of fishing vessels.

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

The United Kingdom currently intends to declare 105 vessels upon accession of the International Maritime Organization 2012 Cape Town Agreement for the safety of fishing vessels.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department has identified any (a) underspends, (b) extensions and (c) project delays in the delivery of funding under the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund.

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

Through the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme the Department and industry partners are projected to deliver up to £35.7m of joint investment to enhance truck stops across England. This significant investment is in addition to joint investment by National Highways and industry of up to a further £30 million, aimed at improving lorry parking facilities along the strategic road network.

There has been no reduction in the government funding awarded through the scheme. Some operators who were awarded grants have, for a range of business and operational reasons beyond the government’s control, subsequently decided not to proceed with developments or reduced the scope of their projects.

Some of the reasons operators have given have been revisions to their projects’ scope, change of ownership, restructure at board level, financial difficulties and planning permission being denied for their works.

All applications that met the scheme’s criteria were approved funding by the DfT HGV Match Funding Grant Scheme. The scheme has been extended until March 2026 to allow more time for projects to be completed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the importance of railways in improving economic growth, in particular the importance of opening new lines and stations.

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

New rail lines and stations can help drive economic growth by opening up new development opportunities, unlocking housing, reducing costs for businesses and supporting people into work. The Government recognises the crucial role rail plays in kickstarting economic growth and is backing this with the funding needed to deliver.

The 2025 spending review committed £10.2bn provided for rail enhancements in the period over the next four years.  Estimates of the impact of new rail stations and lines on growth are assessed on a case-by-case basis so as to reflect local economic conditions.

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 installing ticket barriers at Hayes station in Kent to help tackle (a) fare evasion and (b) anti-social behaviour.

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

Since coming into public ownership in 2021, Southeastern Trains have invested significantly in actions to tackle fare evasion and anti-social behaviour, including extra security trained staff at key locations, intelligence led revenue protection exercises, increased onboard ticket checks and increased gate line hours. Southeastern now have one of the lowest levels of ticketless travel across the country.

Installing a new gate line at an ungated station is expensive and therefore train operators prioritise stations that have higher levels of fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. Currently Southeastern Trains are focussing on projects to install gates at Ramsgate and Margate which will be delivered over the next 12-18 months. Southeastern Trains have conducted a high-level survey at Hayes which concluded that the station is suitable for the installation of ticket barriers, however further work is required over the coming months to develop the business case for future gating schemes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to reintroduce development funding for rail freight enhancement schemes (a) paused and (b) cancelled after the Comprehensive Spending Review 2025.

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

No rail schemes were cancelled as a part of Spending Review 2025 but we had to prioritise the schemes that would have the greatest impact in supporting our missions in the shortest period, whilst maintaining an affordable and sustainable enhancements portfolio. This meant not all schemes could be progressed at this time. The Secretary of State made clear in her 8 July 2025 announcement on rail and road projects the schemes that have been prioritised for progression in the Spending Review period. A number of schemes, including potential freight schemes, some of which had been paused or cancelled prior to the Spending Review by the previous government, could not be taken forward at this time but will be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with HS2 Ltd on the the delay to the planned connection between High Speed 2 and the West Coast Main Line at Handsacre; what the additional cost to the public purse will be as a result of that delay; and what recent steps the she has taken to ensure that the HS2 project is delivered on time and within budget.

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

The Secretary of State for Transport and the Rail Minister have regular engagement with the CEO and Chair of HS2 Ltd to maintain oversight of the project and support their comprehensive reset of HS2.

The government has committed an unprecedented settlement of £25.3 billion to progress the delivery of HS2 and Euston up to 2029/30, which will fund construction of the new railway at the lowest reasonable cost. New estimates for the programme’s overall costs and schedule are being developed as part of the HS2 reset.

The four-year deferral of works between Delta Junction and Handsacre Junction will enable construction efforts to focus on the cost-efficient delivery of HS2’s opening stage between Old Oak Common and Birmingham Curzon Street.

The works in this area were already paused, meaning the further deferral will not incur demobilisation costs. There will be some additional costs from prolongation and inflation, but these are necessary given the HS2 reset and the need to budget carefully in the wider context of total government spending.

The Secretary of State informed the House of the action she took to bring HS2’s delivery under control in an oral statement she made in June 2025 and in her HS2 progress report of July 2025. Further updates will be provided in the Department’s future six-monthly reports to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether South Western Railway, Greater Anglia or c2c will run Boxing Day services this year, following the nationalisation of those companies.

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

Greater Anglia plans to run Stansted Express services on Boxing Day this year. Services are expected to operate every 30 minutes and due to engineering work these services will start and terminate from Tottenham Hale.

South Western Railway and c2c are not running Boxing Day services this year.

The Department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to meet expected passenger demand. These should be resilient and provide value for money for the taxpayer.

Typically, demand for services on Boxing Day is low and much of the network is closed to provide opportunity for essential maintenance. We expect operators and in future, Great British Railways, to continue to consider the case for Boxing Day services where there is demand and they do not further increase the burden on taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with Chiltern Railways on the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park.

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

My Officials have been in regular contact with Chiltern Railways regarding the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park, particularly in light of the closure of the upper deck and the resulting capacity challenges.

The Department will continue to engage with Chiltern Railways to ensure that car park improvements deliver meaningful benefits for rail users and the wider local community.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with CrossCountry on increasing capacity on (a) peak services between Leicester and Narborough and (b) the 17:18 weekday service from Leicester to Birmingham.

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

In December 2024, CrossCountry removed First Class accommodation from the trains used on the Birmingham to Stansted Airport route, increasing the number of seats available to all ticket holders. All operators are expected to plan capacity on individual services to best match the expected level of demand, whilst making efficient use of the train fleet and train crew resources available to them. Officials are working with CrossCountry to develop a business case to further expand their Inter-City train fleet.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of electrifying the branch between London Gateway and Thames Haven Junction on (a) the efficiency, (b) the reliability and (c) the reduction in emissions of freights.

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

Initial assessments do indicate that electrifying the branch between London Gateway and Thames Haven Junction would improve the efficiency and reliability of rail freight while reducing emissions. We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and other industry partners in assessing the viability and affordability of this proposal.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of freight capacity of (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements, (b) the Northallerton–Eaglescliffe Gauge Clearance and (c) other schemes identified in Network Rail’s pipeline following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

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

The Department has previously approved initial progression of development work with Network Rail on a) Ely Area Capacity and b) Northallerton-Eaglescliffe Gauge Clearance schemes, both of which identified potential for increasing the capacity for freight on the routes. These schemes and a number of c) others, were not prioritised in the Spending Review for progression at this time but will be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available. The Secretary of State set out the road and rail schemes that have been prioritised for progression in the Spending Review period 8 July 2025, which includes schemes that will have benefits for freight capacity.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to decide whether her Department will progress the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements scheme to the next development stage.

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

Secretary of State set out the schemes that have been prioritised for the Spending Review period in her 8 July announcement and made clear that other schemes would be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available. The Ely Area Capacity scheme was closed by the previous government and it has not been possible to reprioritise it at the most recent Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve rail freight access between PD Teesport and London Gateway.

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

Network Rail have taken steps to increase port connectivity by increasing the number of paths from both Teesport and London Gateway. Collaborative working between Network Rail, DP World and freight operators has led to capacity out of London Gateway more than doubling in the past year, increasing from 10 to 22 available paths.

Launched in Summer 2024, Network Rail’s Access Charges Discount Policy offers timebound 6-month discounts on track access charges for new freight flows, whilst volumes on new services build up and become financially sustainable.

In April of this year, under the Discounts Policy, a new daily service between Teesport and Doncaster was approved, releasing more capacity from the North East to South Yorkshire. In the same month, a new service from London Gateway to Tinsley commenced, running six additional trains per week.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on resolving clearance issues at Marle Pit on the Midland Main Line.

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

Following the decision to pause further electrification of the Midland Main Line, the department has been in discussion with Network Rail regarding their plans to conclude their current activities in a safe and controlled way. This has included a review of planned route clearance works in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire. As part of this review, the works at Marle Pit bridge will be replanned when funding becomes available and electrification of the route can be re-started. While this is not expected to be within the next four years, the programme is being kept under active review as part of our longer-term pipeline of schemes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has received updated cost estimates for Channel Tunnel container gauge clearance.

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

I am aware of industry proposals to enhance Kent routes to ‘W12’, in order to enable more containerised traffic from Europe, which was estimated by Network Rail to cost around £200m. Network Rail has been considering more affordable, incremental gauge clearance proposal as a step towards W12, with estimated costs below £50m. However, any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process, working with industry, and will need to clearly demonstrate demand for enhanced infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance she provides to local transport authorities on creating Local Transport Plans.

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

The Government is aware that Local Transport Plan Guidance hasn’t been updated in over a decade. We are currently developing new guidance for Local Transport Authorities in line with our wider priorities. The Government intends to publish updated Local Transport Plan guidance in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish the new Road Safety Strategy.

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

Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the compliance of East Cambridgeshire District Council with her Department's guidance on the provision of restricted private hire vehicle licences.

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

The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which 263 licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing regime. Licensing authorities must determine that all taxi and PHV drivers and PHV operators are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence but have flexibility on the requirements that must be met to demonstrate this. They must also ensure that vehicles are safe to carry members of the public.

The Department for Transport issues guidance to assist licensing authorities to enable the provision of safe and accessible services through proportionate regulation. The Department’s statutory guidance to licensing authorities on exercising their taxi and PHV licensing functions to protect children and vulnerable adults sets out a robust set of safeguarding measures. Licensing authorities must have regard to the guidance and my Department expects them to implement the recommendations unless there is a compelling local reason not to do so. The statutory guidance applies across taxi and PHV licensing, including licences issued on a “restricted” basis.

As recommended in the statutory guidance, all taxi and PHV licensing authorities in England (including East Cambridgeshire District Council) have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of safeguards for restricted private hire vehicle licences issued by local authorities.

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

The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which 263 licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing regime. Licensing authorities must determine that all taxi and PHV drivers and PHV operators are ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence but have flexibility on the requirements that must be met to demonstrate this. They must also ensure that vehicles are safe to carry members of the public.

The Department for Transport issues guidance to assist licensing authorities to enable the provision of safe and accessible services through proportionate regulation. The Department’s statutory guidance to licensing authorities on exercising their taxi and PHV licensing functions to protect children and vulnerable adults sets out a robust set of safeguarding measures. Licensing authorities must have regard to the guidance and my Department expects them to implement the recommendations unless there is a compelling local reason not to do so. The statutory guidance applies across taxi and PHV licensing, including licences issued on a “restricted” basis.

As recommended in the statutory guidance, all taxi and PHV licensing authorities in England (including East Cambridgeshire District Council) have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the safety of public transportation workers from (a) violence and (b) other abuse.

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

Violence or abuse against public transport workers is unacceptable. The Government is committed to ensuring that staff across the network not only feel safe but are safe while carrying out their duties. The Department for Transport works closely with the transport industry and, on the railways, with the British Transport Police to maintain a safe environment for both staff and passengers.

Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, the Government is proposing mandatory training for bus industry staff, including drivers and other frontline staff, to help them recognise and respond to crime and anti-social behaviour on the network. This training will make clear that staff should only intervene where it is safe to do so.

On the railways, the Department for Transport and British Transport Police continue to encourage operators to prioritise staff safety, including the wider adoption of Body Worn Video (BWV). A 2019 academic trial showed that BWV reduced violence against station staff wearing the devices by 47%.

It remains essential that all incidents of abuse or violence are reported to the police, so they can be properly investigated and offenders held to account.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what regulatory oversight they are developing for autonomous vehicle AI, in the light of Waymo’s plan to launch driverless taxis in London next year.

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

The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 is delivering one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks of its kind anywhere in the world for self-driving vehicles, with safety at its core. This government announced in June 2025 that we are accelerating delivery of the Automated Passenger Services (APS) statutory instrument to Spring 2026.

The APS permitting scheme will regulate deployments of automated taxi-, private-hire -and bus-like vehicles. Where required, stringent safety assessments with be conducted by the Vehicle Certification Agency, and permits will be subject to consent by the relevant Local Authority.

Our consultation on the permitting scheme and draft statutory instrument closed on 28 September and responses are now being analysed. We aim to publish the government response in early 2026. We aim to implement the remainder of the AV Act in the second half of 2027.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Clauses 6, 12 and 13 of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, what estimate she has made of the total cost to (a) passengers, (b) taxpayers, and (c) fuel suppliers arising from revenue certainty contracts and associated levy payments; and what steps she is taking to ensure that this support does not (i) create long-term subsidy dependence and (ii) disproportionately benefit overseas producers.

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

The Government set out the potential costs and benefits arising from the RCM scheme in the Cost-Benefit Analysis, published in May 2025, including potential costs for passengers and fuel suppliers. The scheme will be funded via a variable levy placed on aviation fuel suppliers, not by the taxpayer.

The RCM contracts will only be signed with UK-based SAF producers. These contracts will have a defined term length to ensure a clear end date to the subsidy and also sets a cap on the support for the sales of SAF to control the scale of the scheme. In addition, clause 1 (7) of the SAF Bill provides an end date, 10 years from the day on which the Act is passed, to new contracts being entered into.

We expect UK SAF production to be internationally competitive, with the RCM playing a key role to attracting investment for UK producers in a nascent market that is using innovative technologies. Whilst we are designing contracts, there is careful consideration towards how the volumes are sold under the RCM, including who are the offtakers and the end user’s location.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Section 6.2.2. of the British Standard BS 8300-1:2018 entitled Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment, published on 31 January 2018 on the guidance entitled LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design, published on 27 July 2020.

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

Section 6.2.2. of British Standard 8300-1:2018 gives advice on designing bus stops in relation to cycle facilities, including what are sometimes called ‘floating bus stops’. It has the status of good practice guidance as there is no requirement in legislation to comply with it. Section 6.2.2 would in practice prevent local authorities from implementing any kind of floating bus stop.

The Government does not believe that a complete ban on floating bus stops is appropriate, given the need to improve safety for cyclists and to enable more people to cycle.

The Government is fully aware of the concerns raised – particularly from visually impaired people and organisations on their behalf – about floating bus stops. The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill includes a requirement for the Secretary of State to produce statutory guidance for local authorities in England on the provision and design of floating bus stops. Alongside this, the Government has committed to asking local authorities to pause certain types of shared-use design in which the cycle route runs between the kerb and the shelter, requiring people to board or alight straight into a cycle track. More information will be provided to local authorities at Royal Assent of the Bill.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many HGV (a) parking and (b) roadside welfare upgrade projects funded through the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund have been completed; and when each was (i) started and (ii) completed.

Answered by Keir Mather - 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) which also provided an estimate of the shortfall in on site overnight parking spaces in England.

A total of 69 projects that received funding from the MFGS have been completed to date.

Window 1 – Awarded on 11 September 2023

Window 2 – Awarded on 4 March 2024

Window 3 - Awarded on 10 October 2024

Overall Total

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the cost of (a) electric and (b) hydrogen HGVs for small and medium-sized enterprises since July 2024; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (i) 2035 and (ii) 2040 end-of-sale dates for new diesel HGVs on (A) logistics costs and (B) delivery prices.

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

More needs to be done to ensure that UK haulage companies can switch to zero emission HGVs (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell). This is particularly true as most UK haulage companies are SMEs and operate on small profit margins. As more zero emission HGVs are deployed, the costs of these HGVs should begin to fall due to economies of scale in manufacturing, which when combined with running and maintenance savings, should reduce the total cost of ownership and support a second-hand market.

We are supporting UK haulage companies while seeking to minimise the impact of the transition on costs and delivery prices through programmes such as the Plug in Truck Grant, the £30m Depot Charging Scheme and the up to £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator.

We will shortly be consulting on options for the end of sales dates for new non-zero emission HGVs and will continue to support UK hauliers with appropriate incentives and clear regulatory approach.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the process for disabled customers to claim reduced rates of vehicle tax.

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

Customers who receive the enhanced rate mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and whose vehicles are already licensed in the disabled taxation class can renew their vehicle excise duty (VED) exemption online.

Those customers who receive the standard rate mobility component of PIP, which entitles them to a 50 per cent reduction in the rate of VED payable, must send their application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Facilitating online applications by disabled customers to claim reduced rates of VED requires the electronic exchange of data held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with the DVLA. Officials are considering how to improve the ability for customers in receipt of PIP to transact with the DVLA.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the risk of (a) harm and (b) disruption from unauthorised drone activity to (i) UK commercial airports and (ii) commercial air traffic operating in UK airspace.

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

UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure there are appropriate contingency plans in place to minimise potential disruption.

The Department for Transport, Home Office and Ministry of Defence engage regularly with the aviation sector to gain assurances of their security plans, including in response to drone incursions at UK airports.

The Department for Transport is going further by mandating the use of Remote Identification (RID) for drones allowing them to be tracked and identified. RID will protect the airspace, its users and the public from unlawful and unsafe drones operating without adequate permissions, including around UK airports.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 81178, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers which operate over the incoming 32 tonne limit.

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

The Department does not hold specific data on the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers that operate above the forthcoming 32-tonne weight limit.

In the concrete delivery sector, the Department estimates there are in the region of 1,000 VCMs in operation. Existing vehicles can continue to operate beyond the end of the temporary arrangement provided they are loaded to the lower weight limits (for example, up to 32 tonnes for 4 or more axle rigid vehicles).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) new and (b) upgraded HGV parking spaces have been provided through the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund; and when each was completed.

Answered by Keir Mather - 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) which also provided an estimate of the shortfall in on site overnight parking spaces in England.

A total of 69 projects that received funding from the MFGS have been completed to date.

Window 1 – Awarded on 11 September 2023

Window 2 – Awarded on 4 March 2024

Window 3 - Awarded on 10 October 2024

Overall Total

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the availability of funding for a fixed-link viability study to the Isle of Wight.

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

The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the availability of funding for a fixed-link viability study to the Isle of Wight. We believe that decisions on transport interventions for a local community are best made at local level and it would be for the Local Authority to lead any feasibility study work.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of using the Sutton Park freight line for passenger services on (a) the capacity of the West Coast main line and (b) passenger services into central Birmingham.

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

The Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline investment portfolio was set out in the June 2025 Spending Review settlement.

The Department for Transport is not actively exploring this proposal for the Sutton Park freight line, but local authorities such as West Midlands Combined Authority, are free to develop local proposals for investment using their own devolved transport funding.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to ratify the International Maritime Organisation 2012 Cape Town Agreement on the safety of fishing vessels.

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

We have been working to ensure that the UK is in a position to accede to the Cape Town Agreement and I can confirm that, subject to Parliamentary Scrutiny, we will instruct the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to conclude accession by Spring 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Surrey County Council on the disruption caused by Heavy Goods Vehicles in busy (a) village and (b) town centres in the Surrey Heath constituency.

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

My Department has not discussed this matter with Surrey County Council. Management of traffic, including HGVs, on local roads is the responsibility of the local highway authority. They have a range of measures available to them to manage inappropriate use of roads by HGVs, such as weight restrictions and signing strategies. It is for them to determine what measures are appropriate for individual situations.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions on disruption by drones at airports with (a) pilots, (b) other aviation professionals (c) the Ministry of Defence and (d) governments of other European countries that have experienced such disruption; and what steps her Department plans to take to counter such risks to commercial aviation.

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

UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure there are appropriate contingency plans in place to minimise potential disruption.

The Department for Transport, Home Office and Ministry of Defence engage regularly with the aviation sector to gain assurances of their security plans, including in response to drone incursions at UK airports.

The Department for Transport is going further by mandating the use of Remote Identification (RID) for drones allowing them to be tracked and identified. RID will protect the airspace, its users and the public from unlawful and unsafe drones operating without adequate permissions, including around UK airports.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current legislation in ensuring that there is sufficient (a) liability and (b) responsibility in the case of a collision caused by an automated vehicle.

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

The framework in place today, established by the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018, provides a process for Secretary of State to list vehicles as "automated" and sets out that if a listed vehicle causes an accident while driving itself, liability will be placed directly onto the vehicle's insurer. This provides victims with a clear and single point of contact for compensation.

The insurer’s liability may be limited where the injured party’s actions contributed to the accident. And after compensating the victim, the Act also gives the insurer the right to bring a claim against the party at fault for the accident, for example the vehicle manufacturer.

Vehicles piloted under the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme will be listed under the 2018 Act if in the Secretary of State’s opinion they can safely and legally drive themselves for at least part of the journey without being monitored by a safety driver. Subject to consultation outcomes, the Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme is expected to be in place from Spring 2026.

Once the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 is fully in force, which we expect to happen in the second half of 2027, listing decisions will be replaced by the Secretary of State’s decisions as to whether to authorise vehicles. As with listing, vehicles will only be authorised if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the vehicles can safely and legally drive themselves. The rest of the provisions of the 2018 Act will continue to apply so that the insurer will be liable if an authorised vehicle causes an accident when driving itself.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that data being transmitted by UK automated vehicles to manufacturers is not stored offshore.

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

Effective and secure storage of data produced by self-driving vehicles is vital for their deployment. Ahead of full implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 in the second half of 2027, the Department for Transport will be seeking further information on data storage as part of upcoming consultations on the regulatory framework.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with manufacturers on helping to ensure that (a) disabled people and (b) people with accessibility needs are served adequately by automated vehicles.

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

Ministers and officials regularly engage with the self-driving vehicle industry to understand opportunities and emerging best practice in respect of accessibility. For example, Waymo, a leading autonomous ride-hailing company and a member of the Department’s Automated Vehicles Industry Working Group, works with disability advocates through the Waymo Accessibility Network to involve disabled people in their work to improve access to their services.

A range of individuals and companies, including vehicle manufacturers, submitted responses to the Automated Passenger Services (APS) Statutory Instrument Consultation that closed at the end of September. The consultation sought views on the types of information that permit holders should publish on how any new service is meeting the needs of older and disabled people. These responses are being analysed, and we intend to issue a government response in 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help support the (a) development and (b) adoption of vehicle to grid technology.

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

The Government is committed to supporting the rapid development and adoption of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology as it has the potential to reduce the cost of electric vehicle (EV) ownership while supporting the decarbonisation of our energy system.

Whilst the technology is still nascent, it is quickly commercialising. The Government is currently providing industry with over £10m innovation funding support through its V2X Innovation Programme (2022-2025). This is in addition to the funding support of over £28m previously provided through its Vehicle-to-Grid innovation programme (2018-2022).

The Government and Ofgem outlined collective ambitions and further actions relating to Vehicle-to-Grid technology in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap published in July 2025. These include removing financial barriers, such as the double charging of levies on re-exported electricity, as well as improving grid connection processes and enabling technical interoperability for V2X.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Government (a) incentives and (b) grant schemes for (i) fleet and (ii) company vehicles on the wider retail market for new low-emission cars.

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

Favourable tax rates for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), including the lowest first year rates of Vehicle Excise Duty and preferential Benefit in Kind rates, have been a key driver of ZEV adoption for both fleet operators and companies.

Likewise, Plug-in Vehicle Grants have boosted the market share of ZEVs since they were introduced in 2011. Grants remain available for vans, trucks, motorcycles and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

The recently announced Electric Car Grant (ECG) is encouraging purchases of low cost zero emission cars in the wider retail market by providing discounts of up to £3,750.

We are committed to working with industry to deliver a successful transition to ZEVs, and we will be engaging industry on the grant as it evolves – as we do with all Government grants.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of automated vehicles on road safety.

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

With 88% of road traffic collisions currently involving human error as a contributory factor, self-driving vehicles offer an opportunity to make our roads safer for the people who rely on them.

Government will publish a Statement of Safety Principles – subject to consultation and approval by Parliament – against which the safety of these vehicles will be assessed.

The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 commits us to framing the statement of safety principle with a view to securing that:

• authorised automated vehicles will achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or higher than, that of careful and competent human drivers. This is the same high standard to which we hold humans, and a higher standard than that of the average driver on UK roads – which is dragged down by those who break the law, or who are distracted, tired, or intoxicated; and

• road safety in Great Britain will be better because of authorised automated vehicles on roads than it would otherwise be.

Those companies that take responsibility for self-driving vehicles will be subject to a rigorous new regulatory regime, which will operate alongside an independent Incident Investigation function.

Together, this will build-in the same culture of learning and continuous improvement that has helped make our aviation, nuclear, and pharmaceutical industries some of the safest in the world.

In June 2025, we published a call for evidence on the statement of safety principles. Responses are now being analysed, and we intend to publish a further consultation on the principles in 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to invest in upgrades to (a) the M60 and (b) other national highways.

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

The Department is currently developing the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), which will span the five-year period from April 2026 to March 2031. The Strategy is scheduled for publication in March 2026 and will outline the funding settlement allocated to National Highways for operating, maintaining, renewing, and enhancing the Strategic Road Network (SRN) during RIS3.

A draft version of the Strategy was published in August, setting out the overall funding envelope and the key objectives that National Highways is expected to achieve. RIS3 will build on the progress made since the first Strategy (RIS1) was introduced in 2015, continuing efforts to:

• Deliver a long-term programme of capital renewals for ageing roads and structures

• Implement committed enhancement schemes

• Advance long-term performance targets

An Interim Settlement is currently in place for National Highways for the 2025–26 financial year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure occupant safety in automated vehicles.

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

The Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme consultation sought views from respondents on what sort of information could be published by permit holders in respect of the safeguarding of passengers. The consultation closed at the end of the September and responses are being analysed.

Government intends that any organisation wishing to deploy an automated passenger services can evidence robust safeguarding policies to ensure passenger safety throughout the journey.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on the development of non-electric technologies to power motor cars.

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

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of new zero emission cars and vans sold in the UK. This regulation does not require that new zero emission vehicles be electric, only that they emit no CO2 from the tailpipe. The ZEV Mandate therefore considers any vehicles that meet that criteria to be zero emission, including, for example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, battery electric is the leading ZEV technology.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will launch a consultation on the electric vehicle pavement channels grant; and whether that grant will be treated as a subsidy.

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

A range of stakeholders were engaged during the policy development of the Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels grant, including local government, cross-pavement solution providers, chargepoint operators and disability groups. No further consultation on the grant is planned.

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

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 removing the requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces to qualify for the electric vehicle infrastructure grant.

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

The requirement for landlords to apply for at least five parking spaces applies to the Staff and Fleets and Residential Landlords infrastructure grants within the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant (EVCG). The requirement is in place to encourage landlords to consider future needs when installing charging infrastructure in commercial and residential car parks.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles continually monitors and reviews grants to optimise delivery and value for money.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the transition to electric vehicles on small businesses that provide repairs to diesel vehicles.

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

The Government's Industrial Strategy sets out our plans to upskill the nation with an extra £1.2 billion each year by 2028-29 and to deliver more opportunities for people at all stages of life to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors. The newly created agency Skills England will work with partners to assess skills needs at national, regional and local levels, and the Department for Education has committed to a new skills and growth offer to support meeting these needs.

We are evolving apprenticeships into a new Growth and Skills Offer to provide greater flexibility for employers and learners, in line with the Industrial Strategy. The offer will boost skills in the sector through initiatives like the Electrification Skills Network, which supports the development of a nationally consistent approach to electrification skills in parallel to technology; and the Electric Revolution Skills Hub, which connects the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives community through a digital platform that gives access to training, development and jobs across the nation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the adequacy of fire safety guidance on installing EV chargers in car parks beneath blocks of flats.

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

The safety of electric vehicles (EV) and their charging is of paramount importance to the Government and is kept under regular review.

All EV chargepoint installations are subject to regulations and electrical standards. In July 2023, the department published fire safety guidance for covered car parks, to support car park operators, designers, and owners when installing EV chargepoint infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce antisocial behaviour on public transport.

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

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.

This includes proposals in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, such as staff training on how to recognise and respond to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour (ASB).  The Bill also enables all Local Transport Authorities to introduce byelaws to tackle ASB on vehicles, as well as within and at bus-related infrastructure (for example bus stations).

On the rail network, DfT and the BTP are committed to working closely with Train Operating Companies to ensure our railways are safe, reliable, and efficient for all passengers, staff, and communities. This includes tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) that might annoy, frighten, intimidate, or otherwise upset other people.

In addition, in November 2023, the Department provided £2.5 million for five pilot schemes in England, aimed at tackling ASB on public transport, primarily by introducing Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) on the network. The pilots came to an end in March 2025, and a full evaluation of the programme is being carried out. We are also developing a guide for local authorities who are considering using similar schemes to allow them to decide whether these approaches would work on their local networks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will support the proposal made by the Netherlands government to amend the shoulder height requirements in regulation R129 at the upcoming 77th meeting of the UN Working Party on Passive Safety in Geneva in December.

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

The Department for Transport noted the informal document presented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the 77th meeting of the UNECE Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP) in May 2025 to amend Regulation 129 on Child Restraint Systems. An associated working document was published on 23 September for the 78th meeting of GRSP in December.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Where there is clear evidence of a substantial safety issue related to the design of vehicle accessories, the Department will consider positively the evolution of international regulations and will assess this proposal carefully in advance of the next meeting of GRSP.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that road safety improvements do not adversely impact (a) the reduction of emissions, (b) the use of sustainable transport and (c) other environmental objectives.

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

Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. However, it is vital that we do not inadvertently impact the environment when implementing measures to improve safety. To ensure this, and in line with the Environment Act 2021, Ministers will comply with their legal duty to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement when making policy decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to integrate (a) modern road safety technology, (b) smart signage and (c) AI-based monitoring systems into transport planning for new housing developments in Essex.

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

The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.

More broadly, we are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to continue to actively explore innovations in the housing and planning sector, such as the recent PropTech Innovation Challenge that is funding innovative and scalable PropTech solutions to help deliver homes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the £123 million allocated to the development of the Midlands Rail Hub has been assigned to design the East Chord of the Midlands Rail Hub.

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

In the 2025 Spending Review the Chancellor committed to progress the next stage of Midlands Rail Hub, which includes the East Chord, building on £123m previously released. Network Rail are procuring a contractor to design and build the scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Dartmoor Railway Line into (a) North Cornwall constituency, (b) Launceston and (c) Bude.

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

The Government recognises the transport challenges faced by rural communities, including those in North Cornwall. While there are currently no plans to reintroduce rail services to North Cornwall, we encourage local authorities and transport providers, including Great Western Railway, to explore opportunities for enhancing integrated transport links, particularly between rail and bus services. For example, the new £15million Okehampton Interchange station is due to open in 2026, funded by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. This station will become a hub for trains and buses, including enabling improved bus services to North Cornwall, and improved walking and cycling links.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the Ely Junction Upgrade Scheme.

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

The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme was paused by the previous government in 2022.

The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 7th of July on which rail and road infrastructure projects will proceed following the 2025 Spending Review.

At this stage, the EACE programme was not allocated funding. I fully recognise the strategic importance of the EACE programme. It has a strong case for future investment, and we are committed to working with stakeholders to support its place in the pipeline of future rail enhancements.

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 connectivity in North Cornwall constituency.

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

The Government recognises the transport challenges faced by rural communities, including those in North Cornwall. While there are currently no plans to reintroduce rail services to North Cornwall, we encourage local authorities and transport providers, including Great Western Railway, to explore opportunities for enhancing integrated transport links, particularly between rail and bus services. For example, the new £15million Okehampton Interchange station is due to open in 2026, funded by the Government's Levelling Up Fund. This station will become a hub for trains and buses, including enabling improved bus services to North Cornwall, and improved walking and cycling links.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the total cost of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme to date; whether any underspends or project delays have been identified; and what measurable increase in zero-emission HGV adoption has resulted.

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

The Government has committed up to £200 million to the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) to deploy zero emission HGVs and their associated recharging and refuelling sites, most of which will be delivered by March 2026. ZEHID is making good progress with 295 of a possible 319 zero emission HGVs ordered to date (86 already delivered and in use by haulage companies) and 73 planned infrastructure locations (14 already operational). A few HGVs and infrastructure sites may be operational slightly after March 2026 and this is being carefully managed by Innovate UK, our delivery partner.

All project spend is forecast to be complete by the end of the current financial year (March 2026), and while there has been some underspend against the project’s original budget, this was due to changes initiated by projects themselves as they refined approaches following original bids submitted in 2022.

While ZEHID has been operational, there has been a measurable increase in zero emission HGVs, going from 478 when ZEHID launched in late 2022 to 1,158 in June 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of total transport-sector emissions since July 2024; and if she will make an assessment of how that figures compares with projections made when the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate was introduced.

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

Transport was estimated to emit 111.8MtCO2e (megatonnes carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2023, with 78.1MtCO2e from cars and vans. The ZEV Mandate came into force in 2024; it requires that, by 2030, 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans should be fully zero emission. In 2024, the Government estimated that this policy would deliver 420MtCO2e of savings by 2050, averaging a reduction of 5.8MtCO2e between 2028 and 2032 and 15.8MtCO2e between 2033 and 2037. The emission savings estimates have been slightly reduced by the flexibilities announced in April but by less than 3% overall.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review Net Zero transport spending priorities.

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

The Department for Transport’s budget for day-to-day spending until 2028-2029, and until 2029-2030 for capital investment was set in June’s Spending Review. Delivering greener, safer and healthier transport to support the Government’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050 while driving economic growth is a Departmental priority that we will deliver through a range of spend and non-spend measures. We are accelerating the transformation of existing industries, such as our automotive and maritime sectors, and supporting the growth of nascent industries here in the UK, such as sustainable aviation fuel.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the (a) adequacy of the application process, (b) financial cost of the application and (c) potential impact of time restrictions on the (i) uptake and (ii) utility to users of (A) Blue Badges, (B) Disabled Person’s Bus Passes and (C) other forms of disability-related transport support available to qualifying people.

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

The Blue Badge scheme helps people with significant mobility issues - both visible and hidden - park closer to their destination, whether they’re drivers or passengers. It offers national on-street parking concessions, including free and time-unlimited parking in restricted areas and up to three hours on yellow lines (unless loading restrictions apply). Local authorities manage the scheme, while the Department manages and supports improvements to the digital application process.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel for eligible disabled people and those of state pension age. The scheme costs around £700 million annually, and any changes must consider financial sustainability. A recent review included travel times for disabled passholders, and next steps are being considered. Local authorities administer ENCTS and may offer additional concessions at their own expense.

The Disabled Persons Railcard offers a third off rail fares for the cardholder and a companion, with over 348,000 in circulation as of March 2025. It is valid during peak times and provides excellent value. A review of the scheme has been completed, and any updates will be announced shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of British Transport Police’s recent changes to its policies on responding to bicycle thefts at railway stations; and what steps she is taking to ensure that cycle security is prioritised for (a) promoting active travel and (b) supporting the her cycling and walking strategy.

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

Everyone should be confident in choosing active travel, including cycling, as part of their everyday journeys.

Ensuring the railway remains safe for passengers and staff, and creating a hostile environment for criminals on the network is a priority for both the Department for Transport and the British Transport Police (BTP). Decisions on the use of resource and deployment of officers across the railway are for the BTP, as an operationally independent police service.

I would like to reassure you that the BTP have not taken the decision to stop investigating bike theft that cannot be narrowed to a two-hour window, which was reported in the media. The BTP’s screening policy, introduced in August 2024, takes into account factors including the possible time window an incident could have taken place in, but also the availability of witnesses and CCTV, the realistic prospect of a successful outcome, and a range of other factors. In some instances this may mean that an investigation is not progressed, but there is no blanket ruling and each case is judged on its own merits.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) road deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c) roadside drug-driving tests were recorded in each year since 2020.

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

The number of deaths and serious injuries in reported road collisions are published as part of the Department's annual road casualty statistics on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/road-accidents-and-safety-statistics).

Statistics on roadside drug-driving tests are not held by the Department for Transport.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with British Transport Police on its decision to not investigate bike thefts outside stations in cases where the bicycle has been left for more than two hours.

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

Ensuring the railway remains safe for passengers and staff, and creating a hostile environment for criminals on the network is a priority for both the Department for Transport and the British Transport Police (BTP). Decisions on the use of resource and deployment of officers across the railway are for the BTP, as an operationally independent police service.

I would like to reassure you that the BTP have not taken the decision to stop investigating bike theft that cannot be narrowed to a two-hour window, which was reported in the media. The BTP’s screening policy, introduced in August 2024, takes into account factors including the possible time window an incident could have taken place in, but also the availability of witnesses and CCTV, the realistic prospect of a successful outcome, and a range of other factors. In some instances this may mean that an investigation is not progressed, but there is no blanket ruling and each case is judged on its own merits.

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Found: Local government has a major role to play, as does the Department for Transport.

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Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress she has made on implementing the findings of the Green Book Review 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor has listened to regional leaders who have said that, for too long, the Green Book has downplayed the importance of local outcomes and the potential of targeted regional investment. The Chancellor commissioned a new review of the Green Book.

The conclusions of that review were published in June, setting out a new approach to public sector appraisal that will deliver a more effective assessment of place-based interventions. This includes the introduction of place-based business cases that will galvanise departments across Whitehall and highlight the reinforcing effects of different investments within an area.

Liverpool, Plymouth, Port Talbot and Birmingham will be the first early adopters of place-based business cases. HM Treasury will also publish an updated Green Book at the start of 2026.

A cross-government taskforce has been established to develop the approach to place-based business cases and oversee their implementation. This taskforce is currently comprised of the Second Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury responsible for regional growth and devolution, the Director General for Local Government, Growth and Communities in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Director General for Public Transport and Local Group in the Department for Transport, and the CEO of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress her Department has made on implementing the actions outlined in the document entitled Green Book Review: Findings and Actions, published on 11 June 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor has listened to regional leaders who have said that, for too long, the Green Book has downplayed the importance of local outcomes and the potential of targeted regional investment. The Chancellor commissioned a new review of the Green Book.

The conclusions of that review were published in June, setting out a new approach to public sector appraisal that will deliver a more effective assessment of place-based interventions. This includes the introduction of place-based business cases that will galvanise departments across Whitehall and highlight the reinforcing effects of different investments within an area.

Liverpool, Plymouth, Port Talbot and Birmingham will be the first early adopters of place-based business cases. HM Treasury will also publish an updated Green Book at the start of 2026.

A cross-government taskforce has been established to develop the approach to place-based business cases and oversee their implementation. This taskforce is currently comprised of the Second Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury responsible for regional growth and devolution, the Director General for Local Government, Growth and Communities in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Director General for Public Transport and Local Group in the Department for Transport, and the CEO of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the membership of the Green Book Review taskforce.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor has listened to regional leaders who have said that, for too long, the Green Book has downplayed the importance of local outcomes and the potential of targeted regional investment. The Chancellor commissioned a new review of the Green Book.

The conclusions of that review were published in June, setting out a new approach to public sector appraisal that will deliver a more effective assessment of place-based interventions. This includes the introduction of place-based business cases that will galvanise departments across Whitehall and highlight the reinforcing effects of different investments within an area.

Liverpool, Plymouth, Port Talbot and Birmingham will be the first early adopters of place-based business cases. HM Treasury will also publish an updated Green Book at the start of 2026.

A cross-government taskforce has been established to develop the approach to place-based business cases and oversee their implementation. This taskforce is currently comprised of the Second Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury responsible for regional growth and devolution, the Director General for Local Government, Growth and Communities in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Director General for Public Transport and Local Group in the Department for Transport, and the CEO of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to support NHS trusts and integrated care systems to trial and adopt drone technology for time-sensitive healthcare logistics, such as blood samples.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to innovation in drones and other growth sectors. Work is ongoing across the Government, including between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), to support the safe and effective introduction of drones into healthcare logistics. The Future of Flight Programme, led by the Department for Transport and taking place across the Government, will deliver routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLS) drone use in the United Kingdom by 2027. As part of this programme, the Department for Transport, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the CAA continue to work closely together to unlock BVLS drone use cases for the National Health Service.

To enable NHS trusts and integrated care systems to trial and adopt drones, the Department of Health and Social Care works with organisations from across the Government such as Innovate UK, who have funded 20 projects exploring the use of drone technology to support a range of health and social care applications, with a total investment exceeding £20 million.

As part of the 2025/26 Future of Flight Programme, delivered by the Department for Transport, two new projects, namely Dragon’s Heart and London Health Bridge Growth, have been announced to advance the use of drones in healthcare logistics. Together, these projects will receive funding of £820,000.

The Department of Health and Social Care continuously reviews the available evidence surrounding the use of drones in medical logistics and is supportive of new trials to further build this evidence base, in particular regarding the benefits of the use of drones to deliver urgent medical supplies in remote and urban areas.

Enabling drones to safely operate to trial NHS services currently requires airspace segregation to ensure the safety of other crewed aircraft. This is a complex process, and the CAA and Department for Transport are working to simplify it as part of the Future of Flight Programme and the Airspace Modernisation Strategy while we work towards full airspace integration. Progress on this work is monitored through the Future of Flight Industry Group which is co-chaired by the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of nationalising the rail network on the Government's (a) balance sheet, (b) debt and (c) future liabilities in each of the next ten years.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are responsible for classification decisions and measurement of public debt. Both publicly and privately owned DfT-contracted train operating companies are already included in the public sector, classified currently by the ONS as public non-financial corporations. Network Rail is also already classified to central government. HM Treasury and Department for Transport officials will assist the ONS in this work as required.

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Found: The Department for Transport (DfT) estimated that bus operators had seen a 12% increase in the price

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Found: • The Department for Transport (DfT) will simplify GB type approval applications for vehicle manufacturers

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