Paul Kohler Portrait

Paul Kohler

Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon

12,610 (22.9%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland)

(since October 2025)

Select Committees
Home Affairs Committee (since October 2024)
Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Bill (since June 2025)
Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL] (since June 2025)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)
18th Sep 2024 - 1st Oct 2025
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill
10th Jul 2025 - 17th Jul 2025
Finance Bill
22nd Jan 2025 - 30th Jan 2025


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Paul Kohler has voted in 212 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 54 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 279
16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 55 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 239
17 Jun 2025 - Crime and Policing Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 59 Liberal Democrat No votes
Tally: Ayes - 117 Noes - 379
View All Paul Kohler Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(21 debate interactions)
Heidi Alexander (Labour)
Secretary of State for Transport
(12 debate interactions)
Jerome Mayhew (Conservative)
Opposition Whip (Commons)
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(108 debate contributions)
Home Office
(14 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(14 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(13 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Bus Services (No. 2) Bill [HL] 2024-26
(10,062 words contributed)
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill 2024-26
(6,836 words contributed)
Finance Act 2025
(1,644 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Paul Kohler's debates

Wimbledon Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

Support in education is a vital legal right of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We ask the government to commit to maintaining the existing law, so that vulnerable children with SEND can access education and achieve their potential.

I believe joining the EU would boost the economy, increase global influence, improve collaboration and provide stability & freedom. I believe that Brexit hasn't brought any tangible benefit and there is no future prospect of any, that the UK has changed its mind and that this should be recognised.


Latest EDMs signed by Paul Kohler

15th October 2025
Paul Kohler signed this EDM on Thursday 16th October 2025

Elon Musk at the Unite the Kingdom rally

Tabled by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
That this House notes with grave concern the actions of Elon Musk in inciting violence and attempting to subvert our democracy at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally; further notes that such actions risk legitimising extremism, undermining community cohesion and threatening public safety; believes that individuals who enable or encourage …
46 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Oct 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 43
Labour: 1
Green Party: 1
Independent: 1
13th October 2025
Paul Kohler signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 15th October 2025

Wonderland Bookshop and the promotion of reading for pleasure amongst children and young people

Tabled by: Jo White (Labour - Bassetlaw)
That this House congratulates Wonderland Bookshop in Retford for being awarded Children’s Bookseller of the Year in the British Book Awards; applauds their ambition of fostering a love of reading in children and young people; notes with concern that just one in three young people aged 8 to 18 said …
8 signatures
(Most recent: 20 Oct 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 3
Liberal Democrat: 3
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
View All Paul Kohler's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Paul Kohler, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Paul Kohler has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Paul Kohler has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Paul Kohler has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Paul Kohler has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of support provided by his Department to help small and medium-sized enterprises increase their exports to EU markets.

DBT offers a range of support for SMEs, with our Small Business Plan setting out the most comprehensive package of support for SMEs in a generation. This includes Unlock Europe, a programme from UK Export Academy designed to help businesses build relationships with European customers and increase exporting potential to the EU.

DBT has a robust monitoring and evaluation framework in place for export support. This data can be found in DBT’s Annual Report.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that e-bikes on the UK market meet product (a) safety and (b) compliance standards.

Businesses have legal responsibilities to ensure e-bikes are safe and comply with product safety laws before they place them on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and Local Authority Trading Standards (LATS) have enforcement powers. OPSS uses data and intelligence, working alongside LATS, to identify and target unsafe e-bikes entering the UK. OPSS has assessed the compliance of more than 80 UK-based businesses involved in the supply chain for e-bikes, e-scooters or conversion kits, and has published 23 product recalls and 43 other product safety alerts for e-bikes and associated products since 2022.

Kate Dearden
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of energy costs on nightlife businesses.

We recognise the impact that high energy costs are having on nightlife businesses. Through the Clean Energy 2030 Action Plan, we are providing a foundation to build an energy system that can bring down energy bills for businesses for good.

To further support businesses including those in the night-time economy, Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and our forthcoming Small Business Strategy will set out our plan for further supporting small businesses on the high street and beyond. We are also constantly testing our planning, regulatory and licensing regimes to ensure they remain proportionate and don’t unnecessarily burden night-time businesses.

10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with manufacturing firms on (a) their progress in adopting and (b) the barriers to the implementation of green technologies.

The Government is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, through expert working groups and workshops to inform policy on Net Zero technologies in industry.

In 2023, a call for evidence on industrial electrification was held, with a summary published on 1 September 2024 outlining progress and key issues raised by industry, academia and trade bodies. This has been followed by continued stakeholder engagement.

A renewed Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy will guide efforts to build a competitive, low-carbon UK industrial base. Further details, including the role of fuel switching to electrification, will be set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.

Chris McDonald
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24076 on Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: Wimbledon, who the seven recipients were.

The seven recipients in Wimbledon who received funding from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme from 2022 onwards are All Saints' Parish Church, St John the Baptist Church, St Mary's Church, St Luke's Church, St Winefride's Church, Christchurch West and Lantern Methodist Church.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of formally recognising (a) nightclubs and (b) music venues as cultural, heritage and community assets.

The Government is working closely with the live music industry to support the music and nightclub sectors.

The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. Cultural venues, like nightclubs and music venues, provide enjoyment to many thousands of people as the opportunity to hear live music up close is an essential part of our cultural life.

We are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by providing £2.5 million funding in 2025-26, which provides grants to grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. ACE continues to engage with industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.

The government recognises the role of night time economy businesses in supporting resilient high streets, and we are focused on our five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets, to ensure they are great places for businesses, and economic growth across the UK.

To deliver the manifesto pledge to protect the high street, from 2026-27, the government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RV) less than £500,000. To provide further support, the government has extended RHL relief at 40% for 2025-26.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the electronic music and nightclub sector on the night-time culture economy.

The Government is working closely with the live music industry to support the music and nightclub sectors.

The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. Cultural venues, like nightclubs and music venues, provide enjoyment to many thousands of people as the opportunity to hear live music up close is an essential part of our cultural life.

We are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by providing £2.5 million funding in 2025-26, which provides grants to grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. ACE continues to engage with industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.

The government recognises the role of night time economy businesses in supporting resilient high streets, and we are focused on our five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets, to ensure they are great places for businesses, and economic growth across the UK.

To deliver the manifesto pledge to protect the high street, from 2026-27, the government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RV) less than £500,000. To provide further support, the government has extended RHL relief at 40% for 2025-26.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who the recipients were of grants from the Listed Places of Worship Scheme in Wimbledon since 2001; and how much each recipient received.

Since 2022, 21 grants have been awarded to 7 listed places of worship in Wimbledon, totalling £79,716.27.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to schools on promoting road safety awareness among pupils who use (a) hire and (b) electric bikes.

Primary and secondary schools are free to teach about road safety awareness as part of their duty to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, and many do so through their personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) provision alongside the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) content. This can also include teaching about general road safety when using bikes in different situations. The statutory RSHE guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-and-sex-education-rse-secondary

The updated RSHE guidance, published in July 2025, has a new section on personal safety which includes how to recognise risk and keep safe around roads.

Schools can draw on resources available from many providers including, the THINK! campaign, developed by the Department for Transport. The campaign can be accessed here: https://www.think.gov.uk/.

Schools also use Bikeability, the Department for Transport’s flagship national cycle training programme for pupils in England, which teaches core skills that enable pupils to cycle confidently and safely on roads.

Georgia Gould
Minister of State (Education)
5th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children (a) receive and (b) are eligible under existing rules for free school meals in Wimbledon.

The department holds free school meals data, which can be found in this publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support creative education institutions.

The department recognises that the creative arts are essential contributors to our economy, society and soft power. Strategic Priorities Grant funding for specialist providers has been protected; the department is working with the sector to ensure a stable and secure higher education sector that provides a rich range of subjects, including the arts.

13th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of method-of-production labelling on UK animal products on (a) the economy and (b) export growth opportunities.

We are considering the potential role of method of production labelling reform as part of the ongoing development of the Government’s wider animal welfare strategy.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of mandatory method-of-production labelling on (a) animal welfare and (b) consumer transparency.

We are considering the potential role of method of production labelling reform as part of the ongoing development of the Government’s wider animal welfare strategy.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect the River Wandle from pollution.

The Wandle pollution incident on 18 February was unacceptable. I understand the Environment Agency is investigating.

The Government is going further to clean up our waterways, delivering the Water (Special Measures) Act, giving Ofwat powers to ban bonus payments for water bosses. It also increases the Environment Agency’s ability to bring criminal charges against water executives. We launched the largest review of the sector since privatisation. It aims to build consensus for a resilient and innovative water sector and robust wider regulatory framework.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the levels of air pollution on (a) economic productivity and (b) workforce participation.

The Government assesses the impact on labour productivity and workforce participation of changes in air pollution from new policies. The Defra's damage cost guidance is used for these assessments and is publicly available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assess-the-impact-of-air-quality/air-quality-appraisal-damage-cost-guidance.

We estimate that achieving the Environment Act targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) will result in an increase in economic productivity valued at £710 million over the period from 2023 to 2040. [Source: The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2022].

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the change in the number of miles of (a) public footpaths, (b) bridleways, (c) restricted byways and (d) other public (i) walkways and (ii) cycleways in the UK since 2015.

The public rights of way network provides approximately 140,000 miles of linear access in England and Wales, with 83% found in England and 17% in Wales. In England this consists approximately of:

  • 91,000 miles of footpaths
  • 20,000 miles of bridleways
  • 3,700 miles of restricted byways
  • 2,300 miles of byways open to all traffic (BOATs).

In addition, when both the King Charles III England Coast Path and Coast to Coast National Trail are complete, the total length of National Trails in England will be 4,952 miles. Permissive paths also give the public access to large amounts of the English countryside.

The National Cycle Network spans 12,000 miles of signed routes for walking, wheeling and cycling including over 5,000 miles of traffic free paths. There are 2,000 miles of canal towpaths in England and Wales.

Information on overall lengths of publicly maintainable cycleways and footways, along with changes to the public rights of way network and other walkways and cycle paths since 2015 in England is held by the respective local authority. Further information on public rights of way and other public paths or routes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the Welsh and Scottish Governments and Northern Ireland Executive respectively.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve the environmental health of Hogsmill River.

The Environment Agency (EA) continues to support volunteers and Citizen Scientists in monitoring water quality across the Hogsmill, focussing on known pollution hotspots. Collaboration efforts have identified misconnecting sewage outfalls causing pollution, which Thames Water have rectified.

As part of the Water Company Price Review (PR19), Thames Water are committed to deliver a river restoration scheme at Kingsmeadow by 2027. There is also a partnership investigation to assess the impacts of groundwater abstraction on natural flows. The river restoration arising from these studies are scheduled for completion in March 2030.

Thames Water are required under PR24 to increase the size of the storm tanks at Hogsmill Sewage Treatment Works to 4 times the current volume. This will reduce the number and duration of storm sewage spills.

River Restoration is supported by the Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF). This year the funding has supported:

  • the improvement of 250m of habitat and improved fish passage at Riverhill Mill.
  • 3,500 square metres of wetland habitat constructed at Tolworth Court, creating priority habitat, treating road run-off and providing flood storage.
  • completion of the Chambers Mead Wetland Project Chamber Mead Wetlands - South East Rivers Trust

A recent Enforcement Undertaking (£150,000) for a pollution incident in 2020 required Thames Water to improve the Bonesgate.

The EA is committed to undertake a larger programme of wastewater asset inspections. It will have inspected 4,000 assets in England by the end of March 2025, up from 1389 the previous year, moving towards 11,500 a year by March 2027. This work will see significant improvements to water quality.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the water quality of chalk streams.

Chalk streams are one of the rarest freshwater habitats on Earth and England is home to 85% of them. The Government is committed to the protection and restoration of our cherished chalk streams.

The best way to achieve this is by fixing the framework for managing our water system. We have also commissioned an independent commission of the water sector to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
13th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with train operators on the adequacy of criteria used to determine the provision of step-free access upgrades at train stations.

The criteria used to select existing projects for delivery under the Access for All were determined by the previous government.

The transition to Great British Railways will remove artificial industry separations and result in the integrated planning and delivery of programmes such as Access for All.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, what the planned timetable is for payments to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

We are investing the £320 million announced at Autumn Budget 2024 to support electric vehicle uptake in the 2025/26 financial year.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, what metrics her Department will use to assess the effectiveness of the funding allocated to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The Government continually reviews its approach to EV charging interventions, working to address barriers that need to be resolved to meet consumer needs. Our approach is underpinned by evidence, including environmental and value for money assessments of interventions, evidence from a range of sources on the market failures that require government intervention, and evidence from the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of programmes to date.

More widely, we monitor the roll out of EV charging infrastructure through official chargepoint statistics, including chargepoint installations, types of chargepoint, and regional distribution.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, how the funding allocated for electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be apportioned between (a) local, (b) en-route, (c) home, and (d) workplace charging.

In the Autumn Budget 2024, £320 million funding was allocated to support electric vehicle uptake in financial year 2025/26. Support available includes plug-in grants and the new Electric Car Grant, plus continued support for zero emission HGVs and infrastructure, home and workplace charging and resources for local authorities. New schemes to support cross-pavement charging, charging for NHS fleets, and helping businesses install charging points at depots have also been launched.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Oct 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of lower-cost imports of electric buses from (a) China and (b) other countries on the competitiveness of UK manufacturers; and what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) procurement and (b) subsidy programmes support domestic industry while still delivering value for money.

The international market is key to spurring and driving innovation, as well as competitive pricing and enabling UK manufacturers to win orders around the world. Data gathered through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme suggests that UK bus manufacturers are not being undercut by international suppliers, with prices being broadly comparable. UK-based bus manufacturers have also benefitted most from the Department’s funding programmes.

To support the domestic Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) industry, the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was established in March 2025. The Expert Panel brings together industry experts and local leaders to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing.

The Expert Panel is looking at how social value can be embedded in the heart of the bus procurement process to ensure every pound of public money spent on ZEBs delivers the greatest possible benefit for our communities and the economy.

Section 17 of the Subsidy Control Act prevents state subsidies being given with conditions on using domestic over imported goods or services. This means that when providing subsidies, local transport authorities cannot impose conditions to require that bus operators receiving the subsidies must buy British buses.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
15th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued guidance to (a) hospitals and (b) local health authorities on collecting consistent data on injuries linked to (i) hire and (ii) electric bikes.

The Department collects data from police forces on road casualties, including in relation to cyclists, and publishes statistics twice a year. There are no plans to extend this to include hospitals or local health authorities.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
15th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking to steps with (a) transport and (b) safety regulators to ensure (i) public awareness campaigns, (ii) regulation and (iii) other preventative measures are in place to help reduce the incidence of injuries associated with (A) hire and (B) e-bikes.

The Government fully supports the safe and legal use of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (“E-bikes”), whether privately owned or rented. E-bikes must comply with the UK's product safety framework and be safe before they are placed on the market.

In October 2024 the Department for Business and Trade launched the “Buy Safe, Be Safe” campaign which informs the public about e-bike safety.

In July this year the Product Regulation and Metrology Act received Royal Assent. It contains new powers to address product safety challenges including e-bikes.

In addition, the English Devolution and Community Powers Bill includes provisions to regulate on-street micromobility services such as shared e-bike schemes. This measure will empower local leaders to have greater influence over the management of these services.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help (a) prevent and (b) disrupt modern slavery.

The DfT works collaboratively with delivery bodies to tackle modern slavery in supply chains. A DfT modern slavery working group has been in place since 2020, to help embed modern slavery commercial policies, including Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Notes and share best practice.

DfT has invited a number of suppliers to complete the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool (MSAT), including its strategic suppliers.  This seeks assurances from our suppliers on the policies and procedures they have in place to help protect their workforce.

The Commercial Function within DfT continues to raise awareness and build knowledge of modern slavery, through training opportunities and events.  The Group Commercial Director is the DfT Anti-Slavery Advocate and is committed to developing and promoting policies and programmes to address modern slavery in commercial activity.

DfT also continues to highlight the importance of this work with its suppliers, using events as a platform to remind suppliers of the government’s commitment to mitigate modern slavery in supply chains, examples of this are through supply chain management meetings and supplier engagement opportunities.

16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) insurers, (b) technology developers, (c) investigators and (d) other key stakeholders can access essential AV data for (a) real-world performance monitoring and (b) post-collision analysis.

The Department for Transport is working to implement the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act 2024, which includes provisions to enable appropriate access to AV data.

As part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles’ AV Act Implementation Programme, work is ongoing to ensure that key stakeholders can access the data they need to support the safe deployment of self-driving technologies. This includes a recent call for evidence on the Statement of Safety Principles and consultation on protecting marketing terms, with the aim of delivering the regulatory framework in the second half of 2027.

At the international level, the UK continues to contribute to the work underway at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on harmonised rules for automated driving systems. This includes provisions for a regulation on a data storage system for AVs, which will ensure that AVs record and store the key data points required for performance monitoring and post-collision analysis.

The AV Act allows for conditions to be set in secondary legislation to require the sharing of data and information (including with public bodies and insurers) where it is necessary to support the safe operation of AVs. It requires arrangements to be made for monitoring and assessing the general performance of AVs, with an annual report produced. The Act also makes provisions for the investigation of incidents, ensuring that incident inspectors have the powers to access all data needed.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the British Transport Police on the adequacy of its procedures for (a) identifying victims of (i) modern slavery and (ii) county lines and (b) referring them for support.

There is no place for modern slavery or county lines in our society and the British Transport Police (BTP) work to make the railway a hostile environment for criminals committing these offences and a place of safety for victims of exploitation.

The BTP are having much success in their programmes to address these issues. In 2024/25 there were over 230 children safeguarded and 14 modern slavery charges secured by BTP.

The BTP are one of five Police forces with a dedicated County Lines Task Force funded by the Home Office. The taskforce is an intelligence-led proactive unit focused on tackling drug supply and criminal child exploitation, working across the whole rail network in England, Scotland and Wales.

I can reassure you that safeguarding and identifying victims is at the heart of the taskforce’s operations and they have dedicated safeguarding professionals embedded in the team to put support in place for vulnerable individuals.

Whilst this vital work takes place year round, I would like to highlight the work the force did recently, during the national County Lines week of action which ran from 23 June – 29 June 2025. BTP’s County Lines Taskforce ran 48 operations across England, Scotland and Wales which saw 38 people offered support after being identified as victims of exploitation by drugs gangs.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether has had discussions with British Transport Police on the adequacy of the training available to help officers (a) identify and (b) respond to county lines exploitation.

The British Transport Police (BTP) have a comprehensive training programme in place. All new police officers and police community support officers receive input from the County Lines Taskforce safeguarding team in their initial training and the team provide training to other teams within the force when required.

BTP’s County Lines safeguarding team also deliver the national County Lines coordination centre hydra training which is open to all BTP officers. They also invite partners from children’s services to attend and take part alongside them. The force also provide resources and guidance to officers on how to identify exploitation and make effective referrals.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the British Transport Police on tackling county lines.

Ministers and officials at the Department meet with the British Transport Police on a regular basis to discuss the work the force are doing to ensure the railway remains a safe environment for the public and rail staff.

The BTP’s County Lines taskforce are undertaking excellent work to tackle County Lines activity on the railway. The taskforce is an intelligence-led proactive unit, focused on tackling drug supply and child exploitation, working across the whole rail network in England, Scotland and Wales.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to publish an Outcome Delivery Plan for 2025 to 2026.

The Outcome Delivery Plans are co-ordinated through the Cabinet Office and we are awaiting confirmation on whether they will be published for this year and the process and timing of this.

18th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require transport authorities to integrate reporting tools for (a) gendered violence and (b) anti-social behaviour into transport apps.

This Government is committed to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and we have set out our unprecedented mission to halve it within a decade. Achieving this means concerted work on prevention and overhauling every aspect of society’s response to these devastating crimes. The Department for Transport is working with partners across government and the transport industry to play its part in achieve this mission.

We know that consistency of reporting is an important issue and we intend to look at this in more detail. However, we would always encourage victims of violence and anti-social behaviour to report these incidents to the police in the usual way.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
18th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to expand public awareness campaigns that encourage reporting of sexual harassment on public transport.

This Government is committed to tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and we have set out our unprecedented mission to halve it within a decade. Achieving this means concerted work on prevention and overhauling every aspect of society’s response to these devastating crimes.

The Department for Transport is working with partners across government and the transport industry to play its part in achieve this mission.

This includes working with the British Transport Police to encourage reporting via the 61016 text reporting number. We are also supportive of the Rail Delivery Group’s ‘Zero Tolerance Campaign’ which raises awareness of sexual harassment and encourages reporting and bystander interventions when safe to do so.

We are also bringing forward measures in the Bus Services (No. 2) mandating training for staff in the bus industry on how to recognise and respond to incidents of violence against women and girls, as well as anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Car Insurance Taskforce made of the potential impact of fraudulent insurance claims made by people who stage road traffic collisions to gain compensation on levels of car insurance premiums.

This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury.

The Taskforce which met most recently on 28 April has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums. It will look at the increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry. The Government will provide updates on the Taskforce in due course.

Regarding fraudulent insurance claims, the Government is committed to tackling this threat and has worked in collaboration with the UK insurance sector to publish an insurance fraud charter. This is a voluntary agreement which aims to raise the visibility of insurance fraud, improve victim support and better detect and prevent scams, such as crash-for cash.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding she plans to provide through the (a) Bus Service Operator Grant and (b) Bus Service Improvement Plan in the Spending Review 2025.

The Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, consisting of both Bus Service Operators Grant and Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

All future bus funding is being considered as part of the ongoing multi-year Spending Review, which provides the opportunity for the Department to assess the sector’s funding needs so that bus services are adequately funded to support the government’s missions on economic growth and overcoming barriers to opportunity.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the bus fare cap on passenger numbers.

The Government is investing over £150 million to deliver the new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025 to help keep bus fares affordable. Under the plans of the previous administration, the £2 cap on bus fares had been due to expire on 31 December 2024, and prior to the Budget, there was no further funding available to maintain a cap on bus fares beyond this point.

The final monitoring and evaluation report into the impact of the £2 bus fare cap was published on 12 February. An evaluation of the £3 fare cap is due to be commissioned in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help increase the capacity of the West Coast Mainline between Crewe and Manchester.

This Government is committed to improving rail connectivity across the North and working with local leaders, as set out in our manifesto.

While we will not reverse the decision to cancel Phase 2 of HS2, we recognise concerns about connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester and continue to review the position we inherited on rail infrastructure. We will set out our plans in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on private financing options for the second phase of High Speed Two.

The Government’s current focus is the safe delivery of High Speed Two (HS2) between Birmingham Curzon Street and London Euston at the lowest reasonable cost. While we will not reverse the decision to cancel Phase 2 of HS2, we recognise concerns about connectivity between Birmingham and Manchester and continue to review the position we inherited on rail infrastructure.

The Department is currently reviewing options to collaborate with the private sector on the delivery of the HS2 Euston station. As part of this, officials are engaging with stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the available private finance options that could deliver value for money for taxpayers.

Minister Hendy met with Mayors Burnham and Parker last November, following the publication of the Midlands North-West Rail Link plan; the Mayors’ plan involved leveraging private capital to build a new Birmingham to Manchester railway line. The Department is currently reviewing a range of options for enhancing northern rail infrastructure while ensuring value for money for taxpayers.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
7th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the contribution of businesses utilising rail travel to the effectiveness of the rail network; and what steps she is taking to consult with business on her planned reforms to the rail sector.

We recognise that business travel is a significant reason for using the railways. Research just published has shown that 15 per cent of journeys on DfT-contracted rail passenger services were made for business travel.

On 18 February we launched the eight-week public consultation on the Railways Bill, which closes on 15 April. The proposals will put passengers back at the heart of our railways.

This consultation is very much the beginning of an ongoing process of engagement that will continue throughout the policy development and legislative process.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will publish a response to her Department's consultation entitled, Design standards for accessible railway stations: a code of practice, published on 23 August 2023.

This consultation was conducted under the previous government. The Department for Transport is currently considering publication of a response.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many railway stations underwent development where (a) full step-free access and (b) only passive provision was provided between 2019 and 2024.

During the period 2019 – 2024, 66 major accessibility interventions were delivered at 63 different stations under the Access for All Programme, 4 of which were fixed funding contributions through the Access for All mid-tier programme.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to remove Appendix B of the PRM NTSN.

The Secretary of State for Transport has no plans to remove Appendix B from the Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) NTSN.

The PRM NTSN is one of several measures that help make the railway more accessible and should be considered in conjunction with relevant National Technical Rules, Rail Industry Standards and operators’ Accessible Travel Policies amongst other measures. My Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of Appendix B on the availability of step free access at stations, but we keep all NTSNs under regular review.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact Appendix B of the PRM NTSN on the availability of step-free Access at Railway Stations.

The Secretary of State for Transport has no plans to remove Appendix B from the Persons of Reduced Mobility (PRM) NTSN.

The PRM NTSN is one of several measures that help make the railway more accessible and should be considered in conjunction with relevant National Technical Rules, Rail Industry Standards and operators’ Accessible Travel Policies amongst other measures. My Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of Appendix B on the availability of step free access at stations, but we keep all NTSNs under regular review.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of pre-booked passenger assists.

There was an increase of 22 per cent in the number of bookings for passenger assistance in 2023/2024. We want to see further increases in the number of people who are able to pre-book assistance by making improvements to the assistance that is offered as we know it can still too often fall short of expectations. In November 2024, the Government announced over £10 million in funding to improve the Passenger Assist scheme – the service that enables disabled passengers, or other people who may require help, to book and receive assistance to enable them to make a journey by rail. The improvements, to be delivered over the next two years, will see a step-change in how assistance is provided. For example, the ability for customers to communicate directly with staff on arrival and as they travel, as well as a help function to connect customers to staff in the event of feeling stranded or unsafe.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of train overcrowding on access to railway stations for wheelchair users.

We know that overcrowding can have an additional impact on those requiring assistance to complete their journeys. The Department for Transport publishes statistics on passenger numbers and overcrowding. The latest release was in September 2024. The Office of Rail and Road is responsible for making sure passengers are protected by train and station operators from any health and safety risks, such as crowding, and operators are responsible for managing the numbers and flow of passengers using their services. They must also ensure passengers are informed about potential overcrowding.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of railway stations have level boarding for passengers.

The Government is strongly committed to making the oldest railway in the world accessible. We will continue to take the Access for All programme forward as fast as funds allow. The Government programme of rail reform will end years of fragmentation – bringing together track and train to deliver for passengers with more reliable, better-quality services and improved accessibility. Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR) will start to provide the opportunity to take joined up, whole system decisions that improve performance for the benefit of all passengers and taxpayers with accessibility of stations and trains always in mind.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on providing full-step free access at Haydons Road station.

Following a recent nomination for step free upgrades at Haydons Road station, the Department and rail industry unfortunately identified limited passenger benefits. As such, limited funding is being prioritised to progress other stations which will deliver greater passenger benefits. Wimbledon station is already fully accessible and less than a mile from Haydons Road station and the TfL bus network in the local area is also fully accessible for wheelchair users.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
12th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Transport for London on increasing the number of stations with step-free access on (a) the Northern Line, (b) the District Line and (c) across the London underground network.

Ministers and officials have regular conversations with Transport for London on a variety of issues including accessibility of their network. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL is responsible for managing the London Underground.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)