Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 3.19 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, when she plans to publish further information on her plan to increase capacity on the West Coast main line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The delivery of High Speed Two (HS2) is expected to nearly double seat capacity between London and Birmingham, which is the most congested section of the West Coast Main Line. We are taking into consideration the recent proposal from the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands for enhancing rail connectivity between the Midlands and the North West, and will set out a clear plan to address capacity and connectivity issues in due course.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.72 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, whether she plans to publish a consultation on the proposed rolling stock strategy.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Once Great British Railways is established then it will be making integrated decisions on Rolling Stock, bringing together track and train. This will include a Rolling Stock Strategy which will include considerations around the timelines for new build, refurbishments, and provide more visibility to the rolling stock market.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to increase the amount of freight transported by rail.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises that the economic and environmental potential of rail freight is significant and is committed to supporting its growth.
There will be a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight and there will be an overall rail freight growth target set by the Secretary of State, with clear and meaningful targets for rail freight growth within pre-defined periods.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to simplify railway ticket pricing.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to reviewing the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying it. We have already begun simplifying fares through our pay as you go schemes and work to simplify fares with LNER. More details will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether civil service pay remit guidance applies to National Highways workers.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways was established in 2015 with a requirement to have regard to the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance when setting pay awards for its staff. National Highways must also ensure its pay deals are affordable and in line with its budget and pay control envelope agreed with the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support the transition to sustainable aviation fuels.
Answered by Anthony Browne
We are supporting the transition to sustainable aviation fuels by taking action to build supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and secure demand.
The SAF Mandate will secure demand for SAF, by obligating the supply of SAF in the overall UK aviation fuel mix. The Mandate will require 2% of UK jet fuel to be made from sustainable sources in 2025, 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. It will incentivise SAF supply through the award of tradeable certificates with a cash value.
We are kickstarting a UK SAF industry by allocation £135m through our Advanced Fuels Fund, which is funding thirteen projects to reach completion and supporting our ambition to see five plants under construction in the UK by 2025. We are currently consulting on the introduction of a revenue certainty mechanism, which will help de-risk SAF projects in the UK by addressing barriers to investment in a nascent market.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he had discussions with rail unions on taking steps to avoid the strikes that commenced on 7 May 2024.
Answered by Huw Merriman
Negotiations must take place between the employer, which the Rail Delivery Group has done on behalf of the train operators, and the trade union over its dispute. The Government has no role in these negotiations and discussions. We remain committed to supporting the parties in the resolution of industrial action and the Secretary of State and I have previously met with all the rail unions to help facilitate discussions with the rail industry.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will meet representatives of insurance companies to discuss bringing down the cost of car insurance.
Answered by Guy Opperman
Department for Transport officials regularly liaise with representatives of the motor insurance industry on a variety of issues such as the cost of insurance.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with train operating companies on trends in the number of people working in the rail industry.
Answered by Huw Merriman
The Department regularly engages with the rail industry on a range of issues, including around the workforce. The Government is committed to supporting the industry in reforming outdated working practices and improving the operational and financial sustainability of the sector.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with his international counterparts on the potential merits of implementing a zero emissions vehicle mandate in their own countries.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Secretary of State has done so frequently in the past, particularly at COP28, and will do so again when the opportunity arises.