Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues (b) employers and (c) trade unions regarding the shortage in seafarer Ratings grades in the UK shipping industry over the next decade forecast by the Seafarer Projections Review published by her Department in April.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of maintaining a strong pipeline of UK seafarers to support maritime growth and resilience. To support this, maritime skills and training are regularly discussed with ministerial colleagues, industry stakeholders, and trade unions.
Policy discussions are informed by the recent Seafarer Projections Review which identified a potential shortfall of around 8,900 seafarers by 2035, and also by the Review of the Effectiveness of Funding for UK Seafarer Training which has provided an updated evidence base on the long-term sustainability of the workforce. We also note that recent reforms to the Tonnage Tax regime have contributed to growth in participation, with ship numbers in the regime increasing by 22% over the last two years, supporting the Government's ambitions for maritime growth, skills development and cadet training, and demonstrating the value placed on the regime by the maritime industry.
Work is underway to future proof seafarer training through the Cadet Training and Modernisation programme and the Ratings Review. We also strive to increase officer cadet recruitment by funding 50% of the cost of cadet training through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, whose budget for 2026/27 stands at £19.4m. Our focus is now on taking forward the recommendations of the funding review and ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to invest, train and operate.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the free bus travel for children in August scheme will permit travel by minors unaccompanied by an adult.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation with trade unions representing bus workers was undertaken (a) prior to and (b) since the announcement of the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken for the free bus travel for children in August scheme.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In May, the Chancellor announced the Summer Bus Fare Offer, which will enable children aged five to 15 to travel for free on participating local buses in England throughout August to help ease cost-of-living pressures for families and to help them get out and about for less this summer.
In developing the scheme, the Department for Transport continually assesses its potential impacts. We have carefully considered operational and safety issues raised through extensive engagement with the bus sector, including bus operators, and have incorporated a number of measures to ensure the scheme is delivered in a way that is safe and operationally workable. This includes enabling operators to require that children under 11 are accompanied by a person aged 16 or over, and have discretion in applying this requirement where doing so could place a child at risk.
The Department has also been in correspondence with trade unions on the development of the Summer Bus Fare Offer and continues to engage with stakeholders, including bus operators and local authorities on its delivery.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation has taken place with recognised trade unions regarding the introduction or use of automated decision-making systems affecting staff.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department holds regular consultations with its trade unions on all matters concerning the workforce, including its future strategy for the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the exemptions in the regulations governing the employment of young seafarers.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Regulations relating to seafarer employment are developed in consultation with social partners including the maritime trade unions and shipowner representatives. They may be subject to post-implementation review.
Asked by: Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 22 of the Road Safety Strategy, what discussions her Department has had with trade unions on the development of the National Work-Related Road Safety Charter.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The National Work-Related Road Safety Charter is in the early stages of development with contributions from a range of stakeholders within industry and the public sector. There have not been specific discussions with unions at this point, but they will be invited to contribute as the Charter takes shape.
I expect unions will play an important part in not just representing their members but providing input in areas such as education and improving driver behaviour.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026, to Question 121019 on Network Rail and Platform 4: Trade Unions, whether Platform 4 is deemed a public authority for the purposes of (a) the public sector equality duty, (b) the Human Rights Act, (c) Freedom of Information Act, and (d) Environmental Information Act regulations; and whether it is considered an Arm’s Length Body.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Platform4 was created through the merger of London & Continental Railways (LCR) and Network Rail’s property development businesses, and it is owned by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.
Network Rail Limited itself operates as an arm’s length body of the Department for Transport.
Platform4 is classified as a public corporation. Where it carries out public functions, it gives due consideration to the Public Sector Equality Duty.
For the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998, Platform4 is not generally considered a public authority, except where it may be performing qualifying public functions. Its primary role, however, is focused on commercial property operations.
Platform4 is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.
Asked by: Apsana Begum (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with trade unions representing workers in the taxicab or private hire vehicle sectors regarding the proposed rollout of driverless vehicles.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) has engaged with trade unions as part of its wider stakeholder engagement programme supporting implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, including through consultation on the Automated Passenger Services permitting scheme.
Unite the Union sits on CCAV’s Expert Advisory Panel, providing a formal mechanism for workforce perspectives to inform the development of automated vehicle policy and regulation alongside industry, academic and other stakeholders.
Asked by: Sarah Owen (Labour - Luton North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure safety of all staff in bus companies, including engineers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is working across government and with partners in industry and Local Transport Authorities, to ensure that everyone, including staff in bus companies such as engineers, feel and are safe.
The Department works closely with industry, trade unions and local transport authorities to support the safety of all staff across the bus sector, including engineers and depot‑based workers. Employers are responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and must comply with relevant health and safety legislation.
The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local transport authorities the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with antisocial behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. It is the responsibility of everyone involved in the transport network to make sure it is a safe place for users and staff.