Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 15 May (HL7132), whether the consultation will set out a timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, and whether they will publish that timeline.

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

A proposed timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK will be set out in the consultation. The Government aims to publish this consultation later this year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 13 May (HL7133), whether the remit of the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce includes considerations of standardised battery health testing for electric vehicles.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The role and remit of the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce has evolved since its inception, and the publication of the UK Battery Strategy, in 2023.

The Taskforce consistently uses their collective expertise to provide a robust challenge function to assist the Department for Business and Trade achieve a successful and effective implementation of the UK Battery Strategy.

Whilst its remit does not directly include consideration of standardised battery health testing for electric vehicles, the Taskforce seeks to identify important knowledge gaps where further research and/or evidence gathering should be considered.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with European counterparts to address infrastructure bottlenecks and ensure new HS2 and domestic rail capacity can be used to improve international rail services and connectivity.

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

The Government fully supports the growth of international rail passenger services given the environmental, social and economic benefits they provide.

My officials continue to engage on a regular basis with infrastructure managers and European partners to discuss the potential for new routes and potential market entrants, particularly given the unique requirements of operating through the Channel Tunnel.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Campaign for Better Transport titled Runways to railways: unlocking the potential of the Channel Tunnel, what steps they will take to ensure that international rail connectivity is addressed within the current domestic rail reform agenda, to fully realise the economic and environmental benefits identified in the report.

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

The Government fully supports a thriving and competitive international rail passenger services market, given the benefits it can bring including potentially greater choice, new service offers and lower fares for passengers.

The Government welcomes the Campaign for Better Transport’s report, and recognises the significant growth potential of international rail connectivity. DfT officials are engaging proactively with international partners and industry counterparts, including prospective operators, to discuss the potential for new routes and services and help facilitate these where possible.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the context of their negotiations on the UK–US trade agreement, what priority they are giving to engaging with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations to support multilateral cooperation on improved vehicle safety.

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

The Government continues to prioritise engagement with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and recognises it as the key forum for multilateral cooperation to improve vehicle safety.

We actively participate in WP.29 and fully support the importance of international regulations in enhancing road safety.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Office of Rail and Road’s independent review of train operators’ revenue protection practices, what plans they have to ensure best practice in revenue protection as part of the transition to Great British Railways.

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

Through the creation of Great British Railways, we are bringing operators together, which will naturally put an end to some of the siloed behaviours that have contributed to opaque and inconsistent revenue protection practices. This transition will ensure a more unified approach across the sector, ensuring passengers are treated fairly and in accordance with the correct procedures.

In addition, the industry has already begun work with revenue protection leads across the rail sector, providing a platform to share best practices regularly. We will respond to the next steps for the report by summer 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to increase rail freight through the Channel Tunnel and support a more sustainable logistics network across the UK and Europe.

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

The Government is keen to see the growth of international rail freight, which supports the Government’s growth mission. DfT officials engage regularly with the sector to discuss the potential to increase the number of international freight flows through the Channel Tunnel.

While it is ultimately a commercial decision for industry as to whether to operate new services, the Government is engaging with the International rail freight sector to examine potential measures to facilitate cross channel rail freight. The Department also welcomes ORR’s recent decision to reduce HS1 access charges for freight as part of its control period determination, as well as Network Rail’s freight track access charge discount scheme, both of which will help to facilitate growth in international rail freight.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to use artificial intelligence to modernise Great British Railway's systems and improve its efficiency in the areas of (1) customer experience, (2) railway operations, including planning and management of train operations, and (3) infrastructure management.

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

There are significant opportunities for using artificial intelligence to improve rail services, reliability and safety, modernise rail infrastructure, and reduce costs. This Government is committed to creating a unified and simplified railway, putting passengers and customers first, through the creation of Great British Railways and through the public ownership of franchised passenger services.

Great British Railways will work in partnership with private sector companies to unlock and accelerate innovation across the rail network, including through the increased use of artificial intelligence, and to equip the rail sector with the skills and capabilities needed to achieve this. Great British Railways’ work in this area will align with the Government’s Transport AI Action Plan, published in June 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the transfer of South Western Railway services into public ownership, what progress they have made towards providing catering services on longer distance routes, such as London Waterloo to Exeter.

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

South-Western Railway (SWR) successfully transferred into public ownership on the 25 May 2025. The current priorities of SWR are to improve operational performance and introduce the new Class 701 fleet.

I have asked the new Managing Director of South-Western in due course to review catering on longer distance routes including the London Waterloo to Exeter service - any decision will be subject to a positive financial case which balances the need of passengers and taxpayers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they would allow the safety of pedestrians to be compromised by lowering vehicle safety standards in order to conclude the UK–US trade agreement.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There are no changes to vehicle safety standards in the General Terms of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. Before placing a vehicle on the market in Great Britain, a vehicle manufacturer must demonstrate that it complies with the relevant regulatory requirements as set out in the GB Type Approval scheme. Upholding these standards remains a UK priority.

In addition, the UK-US deal does not change Britain's high animal welfare and environmental standards. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food safety standards.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in their negotiations on the UK–US trade agreement, whether they are giving the same level of priority to vehicle safety standards as food standards.

Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There are no changes to vehicle safety standards in the General Terms of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. Before placing a vehicle on the market in Great Britain, a vehicle manufacturer must demonstrate that it complies with the relevant regulatory requirements as set out in the GB Type Approval scheme. Upholding these standards remains a UK priority.

In addition, the UK-US deal does not change Britain’s high animal welfare and environmental standards. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food safety standards.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Sunderland City Council about changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978.

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

The Department has not recently engaged in discussion with Sunderland City Council regarding changes to the Port of Sunderland Byelaws 1978.

Transport Safety APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: • The other officers chosen were Aphra Brandreth MP (Conservative), Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrats

London APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Beales MP • Daniel Francis MP • James Asser MP • Lord Davies of Brixton • Lord Mountevans • Baroness Pidgeon