Question to the Department for Transport:

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.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

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.

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

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.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential revenue from introducing a fuel tax on domestic aviation to encourage rail travel.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on the aviation sector, since tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. APD varies by distance and class of travel and is expected to raise £4.7 billion in 2025-26.

The domestic band applies to all flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and is currently set at £7 for economy passengers until 31 March 2026.

The Government provides significant financial support for rail travel to enable its operation and make it an attractive option for passengers, including supporting infrastructure upgrades.

Recent examples include investment in the rollout of Pay As You Go fare structures in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and the delivery of the Northumberland Line in the North East. This sits alongside the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the set-up of Great British Railways, which will strip out duplication and ensure taxpayers get better value for money.

Question to the Department for Transport:

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.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

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.

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

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

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.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

World Bee Day (No. 2)

Restless legs syndrome

Pavement parking

Blockade of aid to Gaza

Prevent strategy

Injury on Duty Award Scheme

Introduction of the Hillsborough Law and the 36th anniversary

Protecting children from data exploitation

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Found: Mierlo Luke Taylor John Milne Caroline Voaden Claire Young Adrian Ramsay Alison Bennett Mr Paul Kohler

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Found: Mierlo Luke Taylor John Milne Caroline Voaden Claire Young Adrian Ramsay Alison Bennett Mr Paul Kohler

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This inquiry will examine the drivers of extremism in the UK, with a focus on emerging trends of young people being drawn into extremism, violence and crime through online radicalisation. It will assess whether the Government’s approach is keeping pace with the evolving threat and evaluate the effectiveness of measures such as Prevent in combatting new forms of extremism.