theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64502 on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, whether DVLA will be providing vehicle registration data to (a) Oxfordshire County Council and (b) Oxford City Council to facilitate the penalty notice enforcement of the Oxford traffic filters from 2026. \p Simon Lightwood: The law allows the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to make information about UK vehicles and their registered keepers available for use by a local authority for any purpose connected with the investigation of an offence. The law also allows the DVLA to make this information available to a local authority in England and Wales when that local authority is acting as an enforcement authority under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. These provisions would apply to Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire City Council in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the availability of driving tests. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the plan can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-acts-to-make-thousands-of-extra-driving-tests-available-each-month.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of foreign drivers holding licences from countries with lower testing standards than the UK on road safety. \p Simon Lightwood: My department has not made an assessment of the impact of foreign drivers holding licences from countries with lower testing standards than the UK.

All drivers on GB roads, are expected to follow the rules and regulations as set out in the Highway Code.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support her Department provides to local authorities preparing bids for rail reopening projects. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is open to requests for support and engages directly with local authorities as they develop business cases. It should be noted that rail enhancements projects are rarely proposed as 'bids' but rather considered on the basis of Business Cases and can be considered at any stage of development for entry into the portfolio in line with the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline policy and Market Led Proposals guidance.

The previous Government established a programme of potential railway reinstatement projects under the banner of ‘Restoring Your Railways’. Most of the projects in the programme were unfunded, which is why the programme was closed in July 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the total allocated budget for each of the five new railway stations to be built in south east Wales. \p Simon Lightwood: The government’s recent Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy has recognised Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The exact proportion of funding required to support individual enhancement schemes will be confirmed through further development activity currently underway by industry partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of penalty levels for uninsured driving in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has not made a comparative assessment of penalty levels for uninsured driving in the UK and other European countries.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many holders of a compulsory basic training certificate do not complete a (a) moped and (b) motorcycle test within two years. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold precise data on the proportion of riders who complete CBT and subsequently progress to a full motorcycle license within the two-year validity period of their CBT certificate. In the financial year 2023/24 180,425 certificates were sold to the motorcycle training industry, in the same period 39,935 riders passed their on road motorcycle test.

Enforcement of the licensing laws and riding standards are matters for individual police forces.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is her Department taking to encourage schools to take part in active travel schemes in Hampshire. \p Simon Lightwood: Hampshire is a partner in Living Streets’ Walk to School Outreach programme, which Active Travel England provided £5 million of funding in 2025-26. The programme supports schools both to tackle barriers to walking and take part in a walk to school challenge. Hampshire schools can also access Modeshift STARS school travel planning scheme and the Active Travel Inspectors scheme which an additional £1 million of funding was provided in 2025-25. This aims to empower pupils identify ways to make walking, wheeling, and cycling easier and more enjoyable for school journeys. Registration on Modeshift STARS is free for all schools in England, outside London.

In addition, the Department recently announced an additional £30 million to support the delivery of Bikeability cycle training to children across England. The programme offers a range of training levels, starting with basic cycle handling skills and progressing to more advanced road cycling techniques to help teach children and adults the skills and confidence they need to cycle safely on roads.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on taking steps to help ensure that transport links are adequate to support funding for cricket facilities at The Dome in Farrington. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department provides funding to local authorities to deliver their local transport priorities. For Lancashire Combined County Authority, this includes over £257 million through the Local Transport Grant between 2025/26 – 2029/30. It is for local leaders to decide how to use this funding for transport maintenance and enhancements. The Local Transport Grant is additional to bus, active travel and highways maintenance funding.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending (a) free and (b) discounted bus travel to people under the age of 22; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that young people in rural areas are not excluded from (i) education, (ii) employment and (c) family and community life due to the (A) rising cost of bus fares and (B) reduction of local services. \p Simon Lightwood: The government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services.

On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.

The majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.

The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

In addition, we have 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, of which West Sussex Council was allocated £9.6 million.  Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent, protect crucial bus routes and introducing new fares initiatives, including for young people, to reduce the cost of bus travel further.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the CR6 Bridport to Beaminster service. \p Simon Lightwood: The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.
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Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps their Department is taking to implement the guidance entitled The government’s approach to rural proofing 2025, published on 15 May 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises that different areas have different characteristics and needs for their local bus network. The Government has committed to delivering better buses, including in rural areas, and reforming bus funding to create a fairer and simpler system that takes into account local needs.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in our rural areas.

We confirmed funding of £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London, including £712 million for local authorities. The Government took the first step towards a fairer allocation system by using a formula to determine allocations for 2025/26 based on need, including population, the distance that buses travel, and the levels of deprivation. Under this formula, Norfolk County Council was allocated £15.9 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers. We are currently reviewing this formula to ensure funding is allocated as fairly as possible in future years.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional £900m funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether DVLA is making use of AI for (a) Automatic Number Plate Recognition and (b) supply of traffic enforcement data to local authorities. \p Simon Lightwood: While artificial intelligence (AI) is not currently in use for these purposes, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is actively monitoring developments with AI technology and will consider where and how it could potentially be used to help improve processes in the future.
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Dan Aldridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the safety risks of in-car devices that can distract drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: All vehicles used on the road in Great Britain are subject to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended (C&U). Regulation 109 of C&U only permits drivers to view information related to the state of the vehicle or its equipment, navigation information, or information that assists in viewing the road around the vehicle when driving.

The Department is also participating in drafting an international regulation onDriver Drowsiness and Distraction Warning Systems (DDADWS) at the UN

Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). This regulation will set the technical requirements for how these systems detect when the driver is distracted and will warn them to focus their attention back to the driving task.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Spring Statement and the Spending Review 2025, what is the expected completion date of each of the five new railways stations to be built in south east Wales. \p Simon Lightwood: Based on the work of the South East Wales Transport Commission and subsequent development activity, new stations are proposed at Newport Road (Cardiff), Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor & Undy.

The funding announced in the Spending Review will support the further development of options for these stations, allowing the programme and expected completion date of each station to be confirmed in due course by the two governments, supported by our industry partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on how many and what proportion of driving test bookings involved the initial driving licence number on the booking form being subsequently changed, in each month since January 2015. \p Simon Lightwood: To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests.

Between 28 May and 23 July 2025, DVSA ran a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. Views were sought from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties on changes which aim to prevent learner drivers from being exploited by those who resell tests at a higher price.

In line with the consultation principles, DVSA will aim to publish a summary of responses, including the next steps, which might include new legislation.

While the selling of tests for profit is not illegal, DVSA deploys enhanced bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly, but these applications are constantly evolving and changing. DVSA continues looking for ways to ensure the safest and fairest way to book a driving test is for a legitimate candidate to use its services. DVSA has zero tolerance for those who exploit learner drivers and is committed to tackling the reselling of driving tests.

The attached spreadsheet, WPQ00047632, shows the number bookings made* and the number of bookings ,including percentage, of practical driving test bookings where the initial test candidate’s driving licence number was subsequently changed to a different driving test candidate’s licence number in each month since January 2015.

* The number of bookings made does not equate to the number of practical driving tests conducted. Not all test bookings result in a test being conducted.

Driving Test Bookings (xlsx, 22.4KB)
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her department's policy to ban (a) bilingual and (b) and foreign language street signs. \p Simon Lightwood: Traffic signs are regulated through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. This does not permit languages other than English to be used in England. Traffic signs is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Governments being responsible for policy on signing within Scotland and Wales. Scottish Gaelic is permitted on some traffic signs in Scotland. Traffic signs in Wales are required to be bilingual in Welsh and English.

Decisions on what to name streets are a matter for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the National Audit Office's report entitled Lessons learned: Governance and decision‑making on mega‑projects, published on 12 March 2025, whether her Department plans to implement the recommendations on clarity on the roles and responsibilities of those involved. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport has an established rolling programme to continuously improve project delivery, drawing on lessons learned from its own portfolio and external reviews, including those published by the NAO. Our project delivery governance and assurance frameworks are aligned to best practice recommended by NISTA and the Government project delivery standards. DfT remains committed to continuous improvement and we are currently reviewing priorities for future improvements using recent learning from the NAO and other publications such as the James Stewart Review.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information they hold on the number of workdays that were completed remotely in their Department in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport does not record this data centrally. In the core department, a management tool is used to record the number of days a member of staff attends an official workplace. This figure excludes business travel, site visits and absences (e.g. special leave, flexible leave and TOIL), and it is not possible to state exactly how many of the days not spent in the workplace were due to remote working.

In the calendar year of 2024, 321,561 working days were recorded in DfT workplaces. From 1st January 2025 to 31st July 2025, 168,066 working days were recorded in DfT workplaces. This data is for the core department, excluding the executive agencies.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on the demographics of people who have taken bus journeys which were eligible for the price far cap. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is currently undertaking an evaluation of the £3 single bus fare cap and its impacts. This will include analysis of bus usage. The evaluation will focus on understanding the national impacts of the scheme rather than changes at the level of individual local authorities. The final monitoring and evaluation report into the impact of the £2 bus fare cap, including analysis on bus usage, was published on 12 February.

Trends in bus usage will continue to be monitored and reported through the Department’s national statistics which are published annually.  The Department also publishes statistics on daily bus passenger journeys across local authorities in England outside London. This can be found on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/developing-faster-indicators-of-transport-activity.
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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to prevent (a) insolvent and (b) financially restricted organisations in the Aircraft Engineering Industry continuing to issue Certificates of Release to Service outside of effective regulatory compliance. \p Simon Lightwood: The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for the oversight of Approved Maintenance Organisations which are governed by the Part 145 regulatory framework. Part 145 approval is granted to organisations that demonstrate compliance with requirements including personnel qualifications, facilities, equipment, maintenance procedures, and quality control systems. If a Part 145 approved maintenance organisation enters insolvency or a period of financial difficulties, the CAA may decide to increase the frequency and level of oversight, including unannounced audits, to ensure that it remains complaint with the requirements of Part 145. If the CAA are notified of a senior management change or change in the financial situation of an approved maintenance organisation, the CAA asks the approved maintenance organisation to demonstrate that there is sufficient funding for the intended maintenance activities carried out under its approval. In cases where it is established that an organisation is no longer able to fulfil the requirement of the regulations, its Part-145 maintenance approval will be suspended.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on electrification of rail lines serving Teesside. \p Simon Lightwood: This government is investing significantly in the North East to improve transport connectivity and grow the economy. Following the recent Spending Review, the Tees Valley mayoral combined authority will receive funding to deliver local transport projects, such as a new platform at Middlesbrough railway station, through various funds, including the City Region Sustainable Transport and Transport for City Regions settlements (CRSTS and TCR). The Mayor is responsible for ensuring delivery of these projects and report regularly into the Department on progress.

The Government currently has no plans to electrify rail lines serving Teeside.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much her Department has spent on furniture, fittings and refurbishment for Ministers offices since 4 July 2024; and on what specific items. \p Simon Lightwood: Since 4 July 2024 the Department has spent £211.34 on redecoration and £2,769.49.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve standards of road safety among delivery (a) riders and (b) drivers; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of withdrawing the right of provisional licence holders to work in this industry. \p Simon Lightwood: Everyone who rides or drives, including delivery couriers, has a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner, and to follow the rules set out in The Highway Code. I have no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of withdrawing the right of provisional licence holders to ride while working.

The Department worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to update the joint DfT/HSE guidance on work related road safety. The revised guidance, published in September 2021 and called Driving and riding safely for work, clearly sets out what commercial organisations and their employees must do to manage work related road safety and what their obligations are under law.

Improving road safety is one of my highest priorities. Dangerous or unsafe behaviour by anyone on our roads is unacceptable. Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. My department is developing the Government’s Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the nationalised railways will be subject to (a) the Freedom of Information and (b) Environmental Information Regulations regimes. \p Simon Lightwood: Great British Railways will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in accordance with the statutory provisions that apply to public authorities. This means that information held by these bodies can, in general, be requested under these regimes, subject to the usual exemptions and exceptions.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the safety requirements for mobility scooters operating on public highways. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is committed to ensuring that users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters remain safe, mobile and independent. That is why on the 21st July we announced a review of the law covering powered mobility devices which we will consult on in due course. The safety of all users who rely on a powered mobility device, pedestrians and other road users will be a key consideration in the review.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) punctuality, (b) reliability and (c) other quantified performance targets are for c2c Railway Limited under the Services Agreement with the Department for Transport; if she will publish those targets in full; what the defined outturn performance standards are for c2c Railway Limited under the Services Agreement; how each standard is measured; what minimum thresholds apply; what indicators and benchmarks are used to assess the continuing development of the customer offer for c2c Railway Limited under the Services Agreement; and how progress against those indicators will be reported. \p Simon Lightwood: The Services Agreement with c2c Railway Limited will be made available on the Department for Transport’s website in due course, which will set out the Secretary of State’s requirements for the publicly owned operator. c2c Railway Limited, along with other public sector operators, will be required to meet targets for punctuality, reliability, service quality and customer satisfaction every period, and it will also be required to publish its performance against these targets on a regular basis. In addition, a suite of Key Performance Indicators will be routinely monitored by the operator and the Department.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to require public e-bike hire schemes to include third-party insurance for (a) injury to people and (b) damage to property as part of the hire fee; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a requirement on (i) public safety and (ii) liability for scheme users. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is empowering local leaders to licence shared cycle schemes through measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. These licences will contain some minimum standard conditions set by the Secretary of State to ensure a baseline of safety and operability across the country. This could include specific insurance requirements for operators. We will consult publicly on the nature of these conditions before licensing is implemented to ensure we get it right.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 66154 on A12: Repairs and Maintenance, if she will publish the evidence she assessed when making the decision to cancel the A12 widening scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: There are no plans to publish officials’ advice to Ministers, as has been the usual practice of successive administrations, including the one the Rt Hon Lady served in.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has held with railway trade unions on transfers of employment to DfT Operator Limited. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department and DFT Operator have regular discussions with trade unions on a range of topics, including the transfer of currently franchised rail passenger services into public ownership. As services are transferred into public ownership, staff employed by the privately-owned operator transfer to the public sector operator in accordance with Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations. Rail trade unions are intrinsically involved in this process.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the adequacy of fire safety infrastructure at airports. \p Simon Lightwood: UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to ensure safety and minimise potential disruption. My officials will continue to regularly engage with the CAA and industry to ensure the aviation sector remains safe and resilient.’
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the enforcement of existing regulations on e-bike use. \p Simon Lightwood: A modified e-cycle is only road-legal where it complies in full with the requirements set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. Where this is not the case, the e-cycle is classed as a motor vehicle and needs to be approved and registered with the DVLA, as well as being taxed and insured.

Enforcement of these requirements is a matter for the police, who already have powers to seize illegally modified e-cycles and to fine individuals who fail to stop when instructed to do so. While we have not carried out any formal review, the Government is providing the police with more powers to make it easier for them to seize any vehicle, including illegally modified e-cycles, where it is being used in an anti-social manner. Measures contained in the Crime and Policing Bill will allow the police to seize the vehicle without first being required to provide the rider with a warning.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in current levels of concessionary bus travel usage. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares.

The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2011 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below:

Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millions

Year ending March

England

England outside London

London

English metropolitan areas

English non-metropolitan areas

2011

1,048

753

296

302

450

2012

1,054

747

307

295

453

2013

1,009

711

298

281

430

2014

1,007

708

300

277

430

2015

989

693

296

268

425

2016

958

670

289

258

412

2017

925

644

281

247

397

2018

881

608

273

232

376

2019

861

592

269

226

366

2020

802

550

252

209

340

2021

270

179

92

76

103

2022

491

322

169

129

193

2023

570

372

198

141

231

2024

604

389

215

144

245
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_656
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_656

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the reliability of Govia Thameslink Railway train services between Sutton Common and Wimbledon. \p Simon Lightwood: Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail are working closely to improve reliability of services between Sutton Common and Wimbledon, including through better management of trespass incidents, improving signalling infrastructure reliability and increasing the train driver establishment to improve availability and avoid cancellations.

Department officials continuously monitor the performance of the train operating company across a range of measures, set out in its National Rail Contract, and meet regularly with senior management to scrutinise and challenge its performance.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_657
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_657

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full time equivalent staff were working in her Department as of the end of July 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: 3,404.74 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff were in the Ministerial Department’s total workforce at the end of July 2025.

11,705.87 FTE staff were working in Executive Agencies.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_658
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_658

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with open access passenger service operators on the potential impact of the Railway Bill on their operating model. \p Simon Lightwood: DfT officials have regularly engaged Open Access operators, alongside other stakeholders, to provide both updates regarding proposed reforms and to invite their feedback. This includes engagement around the recent consultation on the Railways Bill, and the Department is now considering the responses received.

It should also be noted that my Department remains committed to a role for Open Access in the reformed rail sector, providing competition to Great British Railways and choice for passengers. However, Open Access must genuinely add value and not simply inhibit the efficient operation of the network or divert revenue from existing operators – all of which are currently supported by the taxpayer in some form.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_659
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_659

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the policy paper entitled Transport Decarbonisation Plan, published on 14 July 2021, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that (a) people impacted by the withdrawal of the Arriva 28 bus service in Leicestershire and (b) other rural communities have adequate access to public transport. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows that access to reliable bus services is essential for providing access to work, education, vital services and leisure opportunities.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

In addition, 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 of which Leicestershire County Council has been allocated £8.2 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the Government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

Furthermore, demand responsive transport (DRT) has the potential to improve the local transport offer in rural areas. The Department has funded 17 innovative DRT pilots through the Rural Mobility Fund, including the first Fox Connect DRT service in South West Leicestershire. Each scheme is taking part in a detailed monitoring and evaluation process. This will provide a strong base of evidence and good practice for DRT and a better understanding of both the role it can play in rural areas. Further Fox Connect services are being introduced to serve areas around other parts of Leicestershire such as Market Bosworth and Coalville.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_660
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_660

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of staff in her Department have flexible working arrangements; and how many of those work compressed hours. \p Simon Lightwood: The figures below cover a range of working patterns that differ from the standard full-time schedule. This includes part-time hours, term-time, compressed working patterns, job shares and other agreed variations.

Department

Proportion of staff with flexible working arrangements

How many of those work compressed hours

Total staff

Department for Transport

20.1% (702 staff)

11.0% (385 staff)

3485

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

30.8% (1881 staff)

Data not held*

6099

Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency

20% (1019 staff)

5% (235 staff)

5059

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

11.1% (139 staff)

2.5% (31 staff)

1251

Vehicle Certification Agency

21.6% (52 staff)

6.6% (16 staff)

241

Active Travel England

23.9% (22 staff)

5.4% (5 staff)

92
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_661
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_661

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce next plans to meet. \p Simon Lightwood: I intend to convene a further meeting of the Taskforce in the near future to discuss next steps. My officials will be in touch to arrange the specifics of this in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_662
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_662

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Great British Railways to help ensure the operation of train services stopping at (a) Wrexham, (b) Shrewsbury and (c) London. \p Simon Lightwood: This Government’s bold vision for the railways will see a unified and simplified rail system that relentlessly focuses on improved services for passengers and better value for taxpayers, ending years of fragmentation and waste.

Great British Railways (GBR) will be the directing mind for the network to provide the best balance between local, regional and national services to deliver a better performing railway for passengers, freight and taxpayers.

GBR will have the ability to plan its future service patterns in accordance with market demand, revenue forecasting, and stakeholder expectations, including train services between Wrexham, Shrewsbury and London.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_663
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_663

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much her Department has spent on (a) purchasing and (b) installing soundproof meeting pods for its headquarters in London since 4 July 2024; and how much of this relates to meeting pods for the Ministerial private office. \p Simon Lightwood: Since 4 July 2024 the Department has spent £27,083.43 purchasing and £8,229.23 installing soundproof meeting pods. Of those costs £18,055.62 for purchasing and £5,486.15 for installation relate to Ministerial private office.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_664
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_664

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure cyclists are aware of their responsibilities under the Highway Code. \p Simon Lightwood: Cyclists have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner and to follow the rules set out in the Highway Code.

The Department promotes safety advice for cyclists via the THINK! website which contains a variety of educational resources, and through social media channels and radio advertising. Specific examples of activity to promote knowledge of the Highway Code amongst cyclists include the THINK! campaign “Travel like you know them” administered by the Department for Transport, and the “Bikeability” cycle training programme funded by Active Travel England.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_665
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_665

Lola McEvoy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to help ensure that people who are deemed medically unfit to drive have appropriate access to alternative modes of transport. \p Simon Lightwood: The government wants everyone to have access to reliable and affordable public transport, and we appreciate how important this is for people who are unable to drive.

The government is committed to improving bus services, so they are more inclusive and enable everyone to travel safely and confidently. The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England.

In addition, 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. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.  The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review by confirming additional funding per year from 26/27 to maintain and improve bus services.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) also provides free bus travel in England, to those of state pension age and those with eligible disabilities between 9:30 to 23:00 on weekdays, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. Those who would, if they applied for a driving licence, have their application refused on the grounds of medical fitness, are eligible for an ENCTS bus pass.

The government also has ambitious plans to reform the rail sector, unifying track and train under one organisation. Great British Railways will be the single ‘directing mind’ for the railway, putting passengers and customers first, rebuilding trust in the railway and simplifying the industry. We are also continuing to improve access to stations through our Access for All programme. Train operating companies also provide staff assistance and alternative transport for anyone unable to use a station.

If someone has a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, they may qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard, which offers one third off rail travel for the person and an adult companion. Details of eligibility can be found at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.