Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to covid-19 lockdown restrictions, what recent assessment he has made of the level of compliance of people wearing face coverings on public transport.

• Regular reports from Network Rail and the train operating companies continue to suggest high rates of compliance. The Office for National Statistics weekly survey which tracks the proportion of people declaring they use a face covering on public transport also suggests high levels of compliance with the regulation. Latest data (collected 8-12 July) shows 82% of public transport users in England used a face covering - a significant increase in compliance from 57% in the first week of June. Not all people can wear or are required to wear a face covering and so we would not expect compliance rates to be 100%.

• We have implemented a significant communications campaign, and have been working with transport operators on raising public awareness and encouraging all groups of passengers to comply with the requirement to wear a face covering. We are aware of lower levels of compliance in some areas and are working with local transport authorities to understand and tackle the reasons for such variance. British Transport Police, Transport for London enforcement officers and local police forces are working hard to encourage compliance and, where necessary have been fining passengers who fail to comply.