Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support public sector transport authorities to develop digital, data and engineering talent.

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

While local authorities are responsible for the management of talent in their own workforce, the Department for Transport made a number of commitments in our recently published Data Action Plan to support skills, culture and leadership across the transport sector, including in local government, as well as endorsement of industry run initiatives to train young people and increase the workforce pipeline. We also provide:

• Funding for the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) to support innovation within the sector.
• The Structures Fund, which as well as funding repairs and replacements for local highway structures, gives authorities access to a Technical Advisory Body to help them develop schemes.
• The Better Value Rail Toolkit which provides guidance on the early-stage design and planning of new transport projects, especially those that employ a rail-based mode.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated yearly cost to the British Army is of using Sustainable Aviation Fuel in each year (a) since its introduction and (b) for which forecasts are available (i) in total and (ii) by litre; and whether those figures vary from initial estimates.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

It is taking time to collate the requested information. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2026 to Question 6390 on Euston Station: Finance, what estimate her Department has made of the total value of private investment required to deliver the proposed HS2 Euston station public-private partnership.

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

The option to use a public-private partnership to deliver the HS2 station will be subject to value for money and achieving risk transfer. Details of private finance estimates associated with the PPP for the HS2 Station are commercially sensitive and will depend on commercial negotiations, market conditions and the scale of development.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of high-skilled jobs that will be created in Great Britain by 2035 as a result of the self-driving vehicles pilot scheme.

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

On May 22 of this year, the Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme for small-scale pilot deployments opened to applications. This can help operators to assess the viability of commercial self-driving services in Great Britain.

The piloting scheme has enhanced the UK’s reputation as a leader in automated vehicle (AV) technology and regulation, supporting the sector to raise capital and attract inward investment.

The Department for Transport will closely monitor how these developments enable the creation of new high-skilled jobs throughout the piloting period.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government's proposed socio-economic duty will apply to the operation of nationalised trains.

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

Section 1 of the Equality Act (Socio-Economic duty) is the responsibility of the Minister for Equalities.

The Office for Equality & Opportunity is working toward commencement of the duty. We will work with the Cabinet Office on progress towards enactment and the interaction with Rail Reform.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2026 to Question 105 on Delivery Services: Unmanned Air Systems, what timetable she has set for the Civil Aviation Authority's examination of the implications of emerging aviation technologies on aviation noise policy; and whether the findings of that examination will be published.

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

My department is working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to publish a report later in 2026 on managing noise from emerging aviation technologies. The report will consider a range of emerging aviation applications, including drone delivery operations. The findings will be published on the CAA’s website.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 5329, what her Department's expected timeline is for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to complete its compliance assessments of electric vehicle charge point operators regarding Regulation 7 (reliability) of the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, Regulation 7 requires operators of rapid public charge point networks to meet a 99% annual reliability standard and to publish compliance information each year. Operators must also submit annual reliability data to the Secretary of State.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) undertake compliance assessments on an ongoing, annual basis, reflecting these requirements; there is therefore no fixed timeline for this work. OPSS compiles findings from operators’ reports each year and shares these with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 June 2026 to Question 5043 on Railways: Nature Conservation, what estimate her Department has made of the annual cost to Network Rail of (a) surveys and checks for nesting birds, (b) ecological surveys relating to bats and (c) ecological surveys relating to great crested newts, in each of the last five years.

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

The Department / Network Rail do not hold a centrally collated estimate of the annual cost of any ecological surveys undertaken for bats, great crested newts, or nesting birds.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2026 to Question 3886, if she will list the specific transport policy areas that form the wide range of collaboration currently being discussed with the EU and its Member States.

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

The Secretary of State, Department for Transport Ministers, and officials collaborate with EU institutions on a wide range of matters. This includes in relation to the aviation, maritime, road transport and vehicle type approval frameworks under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and in relation to transport aspects of the Common Understanding agreed between the UK and EU on 19 May (updated on 22 December) last year and in relation to transport matters covered in bilateral agreements with EU member states. These cover a range of issues including transport decarbonisation, seafarers’ welfare and rail. Details of the TCA, Common Understanding and the bilateral agreements are published on GOV.UK.

In addition, ministers and officials engage with the EU and its member states to share information on each other’s approaches and experience across the department’s portfolio including rail reform, sustainable aviation fuels, road safety and Active Travel. We have also engaged on the EU Entry and Exit System and the EU’s Made in Europe Agenda.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential liability of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for claims arising from the Court of Appeal judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom [2026] EWCA Civ 6, including claims relating to (a) holiday pay, (b) statutory sick pay, (c) national minimum wage compliance, (d) pension entitlement and (e) other employment-related rights.

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

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are currently assessing what payments are owed to members as a result of the Court of Appeal Judgement. Each Coastguard Rescue Officer who is eligible for backdated payments will be contacted directly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled a New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the United Kingdom, published on 6 January 2026, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of a Zero Emission Vehicle mandate for heavy goods vehicles on (a) freight operating costs, (b) food and grocery prices, (c) construction costs and (d) consumer price inflation.

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

Government's consultation on the New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the United Kingdom closed on 17 March and explores the potential design of different regulatory frameworks.

When designing the future framework for HGV carbon regulations, we will fully consider the impacts of any regulatory proposals on operators, businesses and the UK economy . A full impact assessment will accompany any final proposal for regulation.

Government is reducing the cost of zero emission vehicles and associated infrastructure required to support the transition to zero emission through grants like the Depot Charging Scheme and Zero Emission Truck Grant. This support brings the total cost of ownership in line, presenting potential cost savings for businesses looking to make the switch.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4292, whether her Department has conducted formal internal assessments or economic impact analyses into the potential merits of bringing forward the scheduled 2027 review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate since 4 July 2024.

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

No. We are beginning discussions to inform a formal review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate and have a long-standing commitment to publish this by early 2027. Assessment of the costs and benefits of the regulation will be made in advance of any legislative changes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2026 to Question 883 on Cumbrian Coast Line: Tunnels, when the modelling work being undertaken by Network Rail and the Mining Remediation Authority to assess the impact of the long-term solution for Bransty Tunnel on Whitehaven Harbour and the surrounding area will be completed.

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

Network Rail and the Mining Remediation Authority are aiming to complete the modelling work to assess the impact of the long-term solution for Bransty Tunnel on Whitehaven Harbour and the surrounding area by the end of July 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proportion of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles on highways maintenance budgets, in the context of the fourth power law of road wear.

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

The Government recognises that heavier vehicles can accelerate road surface wear. While we have not undertaken a specific assessment of this effect, we are actively considering the implications of introducing zero-emission heavy goods vehicles, including the potential for additional road wear.

More widely, while EVs tend to be heavier than their equivalent petrol or diesel counterpart, on average all passenger cars have been increasing in weight for many years. It is the much heavier commercial vehicles, rather than passenger vehicles, that cause the most wear and tear to road surfaces and other highway structures.

To support the maintenance of local roads and highway networks, the Department is providing a record £7.3 billion over the next four years to local highway authorities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will implement a framework of mandated annual updates to Parliament on project progress and forecast outturns for the Lower Thames Crossing following its transition to a Regulated Asset Base model.

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

The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model will allow for a regulated private entity to finance, build, operate, and maintain the Lower Thames Crossing under long-term oversight by an independent regulator. The regulator will ensure transparency, fair pricing for users and performance standards. Reporting requirements have not yet been determined and will be set out as the regulatory framework is developed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to grant the Civil Aviation Authority stronger enforcement powers to penalise airlines that repeatedly and wrongly reject valid UK261 passenger compensation claims; and if she will make it a requirement for airlines to publish data on the number of claims they settle or lose at the small claims court stage.

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

The Government is committed to strengthening the enforcement of passenger rights in aviation.

Through the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, the Government intends to provide the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with enhanced enforcement powers, enabling it to take more direct and effective action where industry fail to meet their obligations, including those in relation to Regulation (EC) 261/2004.

The Government has no current plans to require airlines to publish data on the number of claims they settle or lose at the small claims court stage.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has considered the potential merits of creating a separate offence category for freight and cargo theft; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a measure on (a) prosecution rates, (b) sentencing outcomes and (c) crime data collection.

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

This Government is highly aware of the rising frequency of freight crime and the significant and damaging impact it can have on businesses and drivers. We are determined to crack down on it.

The incidence of freight crime, where criminals are ripping the sides of lorries and taking the goods inside, is frightening for those dedicated HGV drivers across the UK, and the perception this crime is low risk and high reward is unacceptable.

Working in collaboration with policing, the Home Office have agreed to the creation of a freight crime flag which will be attached to any applicable crime. The data will be collected as part of the Annual Data Return.

The flag is currently being piloted in a small number of forces. Upon the data returns and assessment of the data, the intention is to roll it out across all forces.

We also work with Opal, the Police’s National Intelligence Unit focused on Serious Organised Acquisitive Crime, which has multiple thematic desks, including a vehicle crime intelligence desk which covers freight crime.

We know that reducing freight crime cannot be done by legislation alone, and there is legislation in place that can be used including the Theft Act 1968 where offenders can receive up to 7 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The Department for Transport hosts the Freight Council. This group regularly discusses crime against freight companies, and the Home Office works closely with DfT to engage with the sector on this issue through the Freight Council.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, of the £1.107 billion of Active Travel England funding referred to in the Third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, how much is (a) capital funding and (b) revenue funding in each financial year between 2025-26 and 2029-30.

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

Active Travel England funding was agreed at Spending Review 25, and is broken down as follows:

Figures include funding provided to local authorities under Consolidated Active Travel Fund in 2025/26, and as part of integrated and consolidated transport settlements for financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the costs associated with (a) on-site battery storage and (b) depot infrastructure upgrades required to support the charging of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles.

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

The Department recognises that the costs associated with enabling infrastructure for zero emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), including on‑site battery storage and depot upgrades, are an important consideration for operators. Single estimates of these costs vary significantly depending on site‑specific factors such as existing electrical capacity, required charging power, fleet size and operational requirements.

Evidence gathered through programmes such as the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) indicates that costs can differ widely between projects and locations. We are continuing to build an understanding of these costs through real‑world deployment and engagement with industry, and to support operators through schemes such as the Depot Charging Scheme, which contributes towards the costs of installing charging infrastructure and associated upgrades.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost was of applying the Great British Railways branding and livery to the first Great British Railways-branded train unveiled in Brighton on 21 May 2026.

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

Applying the Great British Railways (GBR) branding and livery to the first train came at no cost to the taxpayer. It was unveiled in Brighton on 21 May 2026, and was funded by the owner of the train – Porterbrook – to mark the moment of Govia Thameslink Railway transitioning into public ownership.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of Network Rail's capital projects currently report on their social value activities; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure Network Rail meets its commitment to report social value activities for 100 per cent of capital projects by December 2030.

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

In financial year 2025-2026, Network Rail has set up over 400 projects within the Rail Social Value Tool (RSVT) to monitor progress on the social value generated, including internal self-delivery projects and enhancement and renewals projects. As part of work to meet its commitment Network Rail is developing processes to monitor ongoing progress in reporting social value activities. Additionally, Network Rail commercial, procurement and sustainability teams have worked in collaboration to embed the Social Value Model (PPN 002), including delivering awareness sessions and ensuring tender processes align with requirements.

Network Rail is also improving tools to better capture and report social value, increasing transparency of economic valuation, and developing approaches tailored to the rail sector. Alongside this, it continues to build understanding and capability across teams through updated standards on minimum social requirements and cross-functional working groups to ensure consistent application.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of heavier zero-emission heavy goods vehicles on (a) road deterioration and (b) maintenance costs on the (i) strategic and (ii) local road network.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer UIN 8642 of 16 June.

Energy Conservation

Found: ; St Ives) Paulette Hamilton (Labour; Birmingham Erdington) Alex McIntyre (Labour; Gloucester) Joe Robertson

Found: ; St Ives) Paulette Hamilton (Labour; Birmingham Erdington) Alex McIntyre (Labour; Gloucester) Joe Robertson

Found: and Social Care Committee members present: Layla Moran (Chair); Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn; Joe Robertson

Found: and Social Care Committee members present: Layla Moran (Chair); Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn; Joe Robertson

Found: and Social Care Committee members present: Layla Moran (Chair); Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn; Joe Robertson