Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with relevant Trade Unions on the proposed transfer of staff from her Department to the Department of Transport Operator Ltd.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Staffing matters are the formal responsibility of the Permanent Secretary and officials. As such, for the transfer of staff to DFTO on the 1st April 2026, the constructive discussions with Trade Unions and staff were led by senior DfT officials. Informal engagement took place with Trade Unions from the earliest opportunity. Formal consultation was conducted in line with the TUPE regulations and with constructive engagement from Trade Unions, DFTO and DfT.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason she plans to transfer staff to Department of Transport Operator Ltd prior to the completion of the Railways Bill.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
On 1 April 2026, an important milestone in delivering Great British Railways (GBR) was reached, as a significant part of the functions and staff responsible for the operational railway transferred from DfT to the DFT Operator (DFTO), the Government’s public sector rail owning group.
This move is a practical step towards creating a simpler, more accountable railway that delivers better outcomes for passengers, communities and taxpayers. It ensures the right capabilities sit in the right place now to maintain the strong progress we have already made to improve rail services. It also reduces the risk associated with simultaneous transfer of the organisations, functions, teams and operational capabilities that will form GBR in 2027.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's targeted staff headcount reduction was prior to 31 March 2026.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Over financial year 2025/26, DfT(central) had an 8% headcount reduction target which was achieved by March 2026.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what protections are in place for staff transferring to the Department of Transport Operator Ltd in respect of a) civil servant status, b) terms and conditions and c) occupational pension.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Staff were transferred from DfT to DFTO on 1st April 2026. In terms of a) DFTO is a public corporation and therefore staff are Public Servants. This means staff transferred to DFTO have not retained Civil Servant status. Regarding b), Terms and Conditions of staff transferring to DFTO are protected by TUPE regulations. All relevant issues arising from DFTO on transferring employees’ Terms and Conditions were presented and consulted on formally with Trade Unions, as staff representatives, ahead of transfer. Regarding c), staff transferred to DFTO retained their membership of their existing pension scheme. This includes those who are members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and Rail Pension Scheme.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what timetable is planned for the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line; what forecast he has made of the cost of that electrification; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
Network Rail proposes to deliver electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line by summer 2017, in time for the new four-car electric trains ordered by TfL to be introduced in 2018. Network Rail is still assessing the detailed cost of the electrification and gauge enhancement scheme between Thameshaven/Tilbury Docks and the Midland Main Line via Barking and Gospel Oak and the forecast cost will be provided to DfT in due course.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects work to (a) start and (b) be completed on the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line.
Answered by Claire Perry
Enabling works are due to commence in October 2015, with major on site works due to commence in June 2016. Passenger services on the electrified route are due to be available for use by passenger operators by 30 June 2017.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding has been allocated to Network Rail for the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department for Transport and Transport for London have respectively allocated £90m and £25m towards the electrification of the line (2013 prices).
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on the electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak line; what the expected date of completion of that work is; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
The detailed Network Rail GRIP 3 study of the engineering works required for electrification is expected to be completed in August. This will enable confirmation of cost, scope and delivery dates. The indicative completion date of Barking – Gospel Oak electrification is June 2017 with the electrified freight links to the route being complete by December 2018.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the new trains due to be introduced during the new franchise agreement with NXET Trains Ltd for rail passenger services on the Essex Thameside line will equipped with accommodation for a train guard.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The procurement of new trains is being carried out by NXET Trains Limited under European Union Procurement Regulations and has not yet begun. Decisions about this procurement are a commercial matter for the operator.
Asked by: Jeremy Corbyn (Independent - Islington North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new (a) automatic ticket gates and (b) ticket vending machines will be introduced at stations on the Essex Thameside route under the terms of the new franchise agreement with NXET Trains Ltd for rail passenger services.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
The standstill period for the Essex Thameside franchise competition has not yet concluded, as such the Department has not signed the new Franchise Agreement and we are not able to confirm this information at this time. An announcement will be made shortly once the Agreement has been signed. There is already a gate at every station on the franchise and all stations have Ticket Vending Machines (with the exception of West Ham, which is managed by Transport for London). Additional ticket validation will be provided at Dagenham Dock to support step free access at that station.