Paul Kohler Portrait

Paul Kohler

Liberal Democrat - Wimbledon

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

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)

(since September 2024)


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Paul Kohler has voted in 121 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

29 Nov 2024 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Kohler voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 61 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 275
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
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)
(15 debate interactions)
Heidi Alexander (Labour)
Secretary of State for Transport
(9 debate interactions)
Shabana Mahmood (Labour)
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
(7 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(38 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(9 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(7 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
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

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

19th May 2025
Paul Kohler signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 20th May 2025

World Bee Day (No. 2)

Tabled by: Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat - Esher and Walton)
That this House celebrates 20 May 2025 as World Bee Day, designated by the United Nations in order to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in promoting individual and planetary health; recognises the centrality of bees to the British way of life, from the quiet …
40 signatures
(Most recent: 22 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 32
Plaid Cymru: 4
Labour: 2
Independent: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
23rd April 2025
Paul Kohler signed this EDM on Thursday 8th May 2025

Restless legs syndrome

Tabled by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)
That this House recognises the significant impact of restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, which affects up to 10% of the UK population; notes with concern that current NICE guidelines do not reflect the increasing clinical evidence regarding the risks associated with dopamine agonists, including the growing …
33 signatures
(Most recent: 20 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 23
Plaid Cymru: 4
Labour: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Alliance: 1
Conservative: 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
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.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
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 Culture, Media and Sport)
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 Culture, Media and Sport)
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 Culture, Media and Sport)
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 Culture, Media and Sport)
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.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
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 number of miles of (a) public footpaths, (b) bridleways, (c) restricted byways and (d) other public (i) walkways and (ii) cycleways in the UK.

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)
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)
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
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, 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, 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)
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)
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, 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, 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 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 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 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
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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)
11th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport on future trends in respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential causes of the underspend of the Access of All Scheme.

After Network Rail’s failure to deliver a large number of Access for All projects between 2014 and 2019, various reviews of the Access for All programme have been undertake by the Department for Transport and Network Rail. A number of changes to the programme have been implemented around Network Rail resourcing, governance and supply chain engagement. We are starting to see the benefits of these changes with the programme due to complete 27 projects in financial year 24/25.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the feasibility study for installing lifts at Raynes Park station under the Access for All programme; and what her planned timetable is for the completion of those lifts.

Feasibility work for step free access at Raynes Park station is underway. We expect all 50 of the feasibility studies announced last year to be complete in April. We expect to be able to confirm which stations will move forward over the summer.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of train platforms have tactile platforms.

Using £75m of government funding, Network Rail have recently completed a programme to install platform edge tactiles at all mainline stations that did not have them in place or where they were planned to be installed as part of another enhancement or renewal project. This leaves 20 stations across Britain without tactiles out of a total of 2585 stations, with the majority of these to be installed this year or early in 2026.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
11th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to publish her Department's review of the Access for All Scheme.

Various reviews of the Access for All programme have been undertake by the Department for Transport, the Government Internal Audit Agency and Network Rail. A number of changes to the programme have been implemented around Network Rail resourcing, governance and supply chain engagement. We are starting to see the benefits of these changes with the programme due to complete 27 projects in financial year 24/25.

The review has been completed in full. However, any decision regarding its publication will be a matter for the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA). The report has found that the governance structures are generally strong, with only minor recommendations for improvement.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to mitigate potential health inequalities from air pollution as a result of Heathrow expansion; and whether her Department has developed modelling on the health impact of Heathrow expansion on Heathrow staff by salary band.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of use of electric vehicles on emissions in the next 15 years.

The main driver of electric vehicle uptake in the UK is expected to be the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate for cars and vans. This has legislated zero emission vehicle targets for sales of new cars, rising from 22% of new car sales in 2024 to 80% in 2030, and for sales of new vans, rising from 10% in 2024 to 70% in 2030. A cost benefit analysis was published alongside the regulation that estimates that this uptake of zero emission vehicles will deliver greenhouse gas savings of 29 Mt CO2e across carbon budget 5 (2028-2032), 79 Mt CO2e across carbon budget 6 (2033-2037), and a total of 420 Mt CO2e savings from 2024-2050.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the (a) objectives, (b) timeline and (c) interim findings of the car insurance taskforce.

The cross-Government motor insurance taskforce was launched in October. It is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The taskforce is supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.

The taskforce 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, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will look at the increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.

We will provide updates on the taskforce’s work in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the car insurance taskforce has been formally established; and whether its remit has been defined.

The cross-Government motor insurance taskforce was launched in October. It is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The taskforce is supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.

The taskforce 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, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will look at the increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.

We will provide updates on the taskforce’s work in due course.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of expanding (a) Heathrow and Gatwick airports and (b) regional airports on (i) the economy, (ii) connectivity, (iii) the environment, (iv) health and (v) inequalities.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

On 27 February the Secretary of State has said she is ‘minded to approve’ the expansion of Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is now asked to respond to the Secretary of State on the matters raised by 24 April 2025. The Secretary of State will make her final decision on or before 27 October. As this is a live planning application and the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role in this process we therefore cannot comment on it further.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Heathrow expansion on road traffic composition.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has developed contingency plans to respond to potential legal challenges to the proposed expansion to Heathrow airport.

The Government will take all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure a sound legal basis for its decisions.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the expansion of (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick Airport on the level of nitrogen dioxide emissions in (i) Greater London and (ii) the South East.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

On 27 February the Secretary of State has said she is ‘minded to approve’ the expansion of Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is now asked to respond to the Secretary of State on the matters raised by 24 April 2025. The Secretary of State will make her final decision on or before 27 October. As this is a live planning application and the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role in this process we therefore cannot comment on it further.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Heathrow airport expansion on trends in the level of particulate matter.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

On 27 February the Secretary of State has said she is ‘minded to approve’ the expansion of Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is now asked to respond to the Secretary of State on the matters raised by 24 April 2025. The Secretary of State will make her final decision on or before 27 October. As this is a live planning application and the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role in this process we therefore cannot comment on it further.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what independent modelling her Department has used to conduct cost-benefit analysis of Heathrow expansion; and whether this analysis included consideration of (a) air pollution-related illnesses and premature deaths and (b) NHS expenditure.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many additional miles of (a) public footpaths, (b) bridleways, (c) restricted byways and (d) other public walkways and cycleways her Department plans to deliver by 2030.

The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure delivers high value for money and supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions. Encouraging more active travel helps to revitalise high streets, enable people to live longer and healthier lives and helps to reduce transport emissions and to promote greener journeys.

On 12 February, the Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6, which will deliver 300 miles of brand-new footpaths and cycle tracks. Total estimated benefits of this investment are £1.3 billion, including £9 million every year to the economy through improved productivity, equivalent to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, by making it easier to walk and cycle to work and for everyday journeys.

Beyond the funding announced by the Department on 12 February, any further mileage for active travel routes, delivered up until 2030, will be dependent on the outcome of the Spending Review.

Local authorities are empowered to decide where investment is made in their areas. As such, it is for local authorities to consider whether disused railway lines in their areas would be suitable for active travel routes and to work with National Highways, in their role as custodians of the Historical Railways Estate, to assess the viability of any particular routes.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the number of miles of disused rail lines that could be developed into (a) cycleways and (b) walkways.

The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure delivers high value for money and supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions. Encouraging more active travel helps to revitalise high streets, enable people to live longer and healthier lives and helps to reduce transport emissions and to promote greener journeys.

On 12 February, the Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6, which will deliver 300 miles of brand-new footpaths and cycle tracks. Total estimated benefits of this investment are £1.3 billion, including £9 million every year to the economy through improved productivity, equivalent to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, by making it easier to walk and cycle to work and for everyday journeys.

Beyond the funding announced by the Department on 12 February, any further mileage for active travel routes, delivered up until 2030, will be dependent on the outcome of the Spending Review.

Local authorities are empowered to decide where investment is made in their areas. As such, it is for local authorities to consider whether disused railway lines in their areas would be suitable for active travel routes and to work with National Highways, in their role as custodians of the Historical Railways Estate, to assess the viability of any particular routes.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of dedicated (a) cycleways and (b) walkways on the economy.

The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure delivers high value for money and supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions. Encouraging more active travel helps to revitalise high streets, enable people to live longer and healthier lives and helps to reduce transport emissions and to promote greener journeys.

On 12 February, the Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6, which will deliver 300 miles of brand-new footpaths and cycle tracks. Total estimated benefits of this investment are £1.3 billion, including £9 million every year to the economy through improved productivity, equivalent to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, by making it easier to walk and cycle to work and for everyday journeys.

Beyond the funding announced by the Department on 12 February, any further mileage for active travel routes, delivered up until 2030, will be dependent on the outcome of the Spending Review.

Local authorities are empowered to decide where investment is made in their areas. As such, it is for local authorities to consider whether disused railway lines in their areas would be suitable for active travel routes and to work with National Highways, in their role as custodians of the Historical Railways Estate, to assess the viability of any particular routes.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of dedicated (a) cycleways and (b) walkways on public health.

The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure delivers high value for money and supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions. Encouraging more active travel helps to revitalise high streets, enable people to live longer and healthier lives and helps to reduce transport emissions and to promote greener journeys.

On 12 February, the Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6, which will deliver 300 miles of brand-new footpaths and cycle tracks. Total estimated benefits of this investment are £1.3 billion, including £9 million every year to the economy through improved productivity, equivalent to 43,000 fewer sick days a year, by making it easier to walk and cycle to work and for everyday journeys.

Beyond the funding announced by the Department on 12 February, any further mileage for active travel routes, delivered up until 2030, will be dependent on the outcome of the Spending Review.

Local authorities are empowered to decide where investment is made in their areas. As such, it is for local authorities to consider whether disused railway lines in their areas would be suitable for active travel routes and to work with National Highways, in their role as custodians of the Historical Railways Estate, to assess the viability of any particular routes.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with (a) statistical and (b) land registry authorities on the availability of land for use as public (i) walkways and (ii) cycleways.

The Secretary of State has not had any such discussions. It is a matter for individual local authorities to establish what land is available in their areas for public walkways and cycleways.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to help increase the availability of toilet facilities for HGV drivers.

The Department and industry are jointly investing up to £43.5 million to upgrade truckstops across England. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

This investment is supporting operators across 30 counties in England to improve security, toilets, showers and eating facilities and increase lorry parking spaces.

National Highways does not maintain records on the number of toilet facilities across its network. These facilities are operated commercially by private entities, who are responsible for ensuring they comply with legislative requirements and meet customer needs.

All Motorway Service Areas, Motorway Rest Areas, All-Purpose Trunk Road Service Areas, Motorway Truck Stops, Truck Stops on All-Purpose Trunk Roads and Truck Stops which benefit from signs from the strategic road network must provide free parking for a minimum of 2 hours for all vehicles permitted to use the facility and free-to-use toilets with hand washing facilities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to improve the mental health of HGV drivers.

The Health and Safety Executive launched their Working Minds campaign in the transport sector, partnered with the Road Haulage Association. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the legal duty to prevent work-related stress and provides support and resources including risk assessment templates, examples and practical toolkits.

The Department regularly engages with stakeholders to discuss matters of concern to the industry, including those relating to driver wellbeing.

To improve the working conditions of HGV drivers while on the road, the department and industry are jointly investing up to £43.5 million to upgrade truckstops across England. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department holds information on the percentage of truck stops on the Strategic Road Network which have free toilet facilities.

The department does not maintain records on the number of toilet facilities across its network. These facilities are operated commercially by private entities, who are responsible for ensuring they comply with legislative requirements and meet customer needs.

All Motorway Service Areas, Motorway Rest Areas, All-Purpose Trunk Road Service Areas, Motorway Truck Stops, Truck Stops on All-Purpose Trunk Roads and Truck Stops which benefit from signs from the strategic road network must provide free parking for a minimum of 2 hours for all vehicles permitted to use the facility and free-to-use toilets with hand washing facilities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many free toilet facilities there are on the road network managed by National Highways; and how many and what proportion of these are accessible for HGVs.

The Department and industry are jointly investing up to £43.5 million to upgrade truckstops across England. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

This investment is supporting operators across 30 counties in England to improve security, toilets, showers and eating facilities and increase lorry parking spaces.

National Highways does not maintain records on the number of toilet facilities across its network. These facilities are operated commercially by private entities, who are responsible for ensuring they comply with legislative requirements and meet customer needs.

All Motorway Service Areas, Motorway Rest Areas, All-Purpose Trunk Road Service Areas, Motorway Truck Stops, Truck Stops on All-Purpose Trunk Roads and Truck Stops which benefit from signs from the strategic road network must provide free parking for a minimum of 2 hours for all vehicles permitted to use the facility and free-to-use toilets with hand washing facilities.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)