theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_48

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of food served in his Department that is British. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government, in line with manifesto commitments, is considering all lawful means of achieving its ambition that half of all food purchased across the public sector should be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards. In order to understand where we are starting from, we are currently assessing what food the public sector buys and where it comes from. In due course, this will tell us the proportion of food served by public sector organisations, including Defra, that is British.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_49

Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of imported pork produced using farrowing crates on the competitiveness of UK farmers that do not use farrowing crates. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government supports both a competitive farming sector and the need to maintain high animal welfare standards in the UK.

No such assessment has been undertaken. No data is held on the production method of imported pork.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_50

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding the Environment Agency received in each of the last five years. \p Emma Hardy: The EA’s total budget for 2025/26 is £2,274 million. This is an increase of £188 million compared with its £2,086 million budget in 2024/25.

Year

Total budget

2025/26

£2,274m

2024/25

£2,086m

2023/24

£1,961m

2022/23

£1,704m

2021/22

£1,627m
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_51

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent meetings she has had with (a) animal welfare groups and (b) (i) veterinary and (ii) training organisations on the use of electric shock collars on pet dogs. \p Dame Angela Eagle: DEFRA regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders on animal welfare issues.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_52

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage (a) dog breeders to undertake health testing before breeding puppies and (b) responsible dog acquisition. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, licensed breeders are prohibited from breeding dogs if it can be reasonably expected that on the basis of their genotype, phenotype or health, this would lead to welfare problems for the mother or the puppies.

Under the statutory guidance, the licenced dog breeder must make sure that the purchaser is informed of the age, sex and veterinary record of the dog being sold, and that a puppy may only be shown to a prospective purchaser if it is together with its biological mother. In addition, Defra supports the sector’s Puppy Contract for responsible puppy breeding and buying.

As outlined in our manifesto, the Government will bring an end to puppy farming. We are considering the most effective way to deliver this commitment and will be setting out next steps in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_53

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to reduce the number of animal crates used for (a) pigs and (b) chickens in Devon. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 April 2025 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 47556.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether negotiations on a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area with the EU has begun. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The UK is ready to move forward quickly to implement the outcomes agreed at the UK-EU summit.

We are already in discussions in some areas – Security Action for Europe (SAFE), Erasmus, Electricity linking - and in others (Sanitary and Phytosanitary / Emissions Trading Scheme) the EU is agreeing to their mandates. We stand ready to start talks as soon as those mandates are agreed.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding the Environment Agency received for river and stream maintenance in each of the last five years. \p Emma Hardy: As the EA operates at arm’s length from its sponsor department, Defra, it is for the EA to determine how much of its budget it spends on maintenance under its remit.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_56

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of expanding access rights for (a) paddling, (b) swimming and (c) other non-motorised craft on inland waters. \p Emma Hardy: The Government recognises the importance of access to nature for people’s health and well-being. We are considering our approach to improving access, including to unregulated inland waterways, and are committed to working with stakeholders as this develops.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_57

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Purposeful Finance Commission’s report entitled Reservoir underdogs: unlocking regulatory challenges to delivering new reservoirs, published in September 2025, whether she has made an assessment of that report's recommendation to reform the five-year price review cycle to allow mid-cycle adjustments for strategic water infrastructure, including reservoirs. \p Emma Hardy: The Government’s Water Delivery Taskforce is working across Government, water regulators and stakeholders to deliver planned water infrastructure that is essential to growth.

A dedicated team is focused on identifying and resolving blockers for the nine new reservoirs in England and is considering the recommendations from the Purposeful Finance Commission’s report and its alignment with the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission, which also examined some of these areas within its remit.

A full response to the Independent Water Commission’s recommendations will be outlined later this year through a White Paper and a new water reform bill. These will set out the Government’s vision for a new partnership based on effective regulation – bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors, and the environment.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an estimate of the level of (a) water and (b) sewage infrastructure investment required to maintain existing levels of capacity, in the context of the Government’s plan to build 1.5 million homes in this Parliament. \p Emma Hardy: Ofwat’s Price Review 2024 (PR24) final determinations set a total expenditure allowance of £104 billion over the 2025-2030 period. This provides:
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_59

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Reed: Government to cut sewage pollution in half by 2030, published on 19 July 2025, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the interaction between the planning system and pressures on (a) water and (b) sewerage infrastructure. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is committed to requiring sustainable drainage systems in new developments and we are working together with MHCLG to ensure that new developments do not overwhelm the existing sewerage network. Defra has established the Ministerial Water Delivery Taskforce to ensure that water companies deliver on their planned investments to provide water and wastewater capacity. It will look at projects that are essential for growth.   It will ensure the additional water, wastewater and drainage capacity needed to meet the ambitious growth targets in the Government's Plan for Change are understood, and that suitable plans are in place for delivery within and beyond the PR24 programme.   It is currently working closely with MHCLG colleagues to identify and resolve blockers to wastewater projects that require cross-government action and resolve challenges before they are able to obstruct growth ambitions.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to respond to correspondence of 5 September 2025 from the Hon Member for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, case reference SL03537, on water quality in Scotland. \p Emma Hardy: A reply to the hon. Member is being prepared and will be issued as soon as possible.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the letter entitled Statements on Water Quality issued by Professor Dame Carol Propper, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, published on 28 October 2025. \p Emma Hardy: Defra policies are based on the best available analysis and evidence, including official statistics. All Official Statistics in Defra are produced in line with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics. Defra acknowledges the statement from the OSR and its findings.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_62

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK Statistics Authority publication entitled Letter from Professor Dame Carol Propper to Seamus Logan MP – statements on water quality published on 28 October 2025, and the Secretary of State's oral contribution of 4 September 2025, Official Report column 422, what the evidential basis is for his statement that water pollution levels in Scotland are worse than those in England. \p Emma Hardy: The former Secretary of State’s statement on the quality of water in Scotland compared to England was based on statistics from Scottish Water, Water Industry Commission for Scotland, Ofwat, and the Environment Agency.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_63

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, updated on 29 July 2025, whether she plans to introduce a comprehensive systems planning framework with responsibility for (a) integrated and (b) holistic water system planning. \p Emma Hardy: The Government will respond to the recommendations published in the final report of the Independent Water Commission through a White Paper. We will bring forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, investors and the environment and restore trust and accountability. Together with the building blocks the Government has already put in place, this will mark the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation.

The Government's day-one response committed to a regional approach to water system planning, including a catchment-based model to strengthen local involvement and tackle all sources of water pollution more effectively.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_64

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 86349 on Flood Control: Shropshire, if she will provide a breakdown of the projects being funded, including the level of funding for each project, in North Shropshire constituency during 2024 to 2026. \p Emma Hardy: Project Name

Parliamentary Constituencies - Project Area

Total (£)

Breakdown of totals (£)

Total 24/25

Total 25/26

GiA 24/25

GiA 25/26

Local Levy 24/25

Local Levy 25/26

Private Contributions 24/25

Private Contributions 25/26

Severn Valley Water Management Scheme

Multiple constituencies benefit which include North Shropshire

2,366,256

1,925,908

2,366,256

1,925,908

0

0

0

0

Demonstrator Project - Nature Based Solutions - Morda Depave

North Shropshire

120,410

168,923

120,410

168,923

0

0

0

0

Demonstrator Project - Nature Based Solutions - Perry and Peatlands

North Shropshire

112,406

337,406

112,406

337,406

0

0

0

0

River Morda Mitigation Measures

North Shropshire

0

400,000

0

200,000

0

0

0

200,000

Gobowen Flood Alleviation Scheme Ordinary Watercourse Flooding Shropshire

North Shropshire

0

50,000

0

0

0

50,000

0

0
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_65

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) Ofwat and (b) the Environment Agency on the biobeads spill in Sussex; and whether Southern Water will be fined for that spill. \p Emma Hardy: Environment Agency (EA) officers have been working with all local partners on the initial and long term clean up strategy and have gathered the necessary evidence from impacted areas. The EA will apply their enforcement and sanctions policy when deciding on an appropriate enforcement response.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of total global carbon emissions are attributable to UK consumption, including consumption relating to (a) domestic production and (b) imports. \p Emma Hardy: Information about the Carbon footprint for the UK is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint. Data are available up to 2022.

Defra does not hold information on total global carbon emissions.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_67

Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of total global carbon emissions is attributable to (a) wind turbines imported into the UK, (b) solar panels imported into the UK, (c) biomass imported into the UK and (d) all other forms of renewable energy imported into the UK. \p Emma Hardy: Defra does not hold information on total global carbon emissions and as such Defra does not hold information on the amount of UK consumption carbon emission attributable to these sectors however these emissions are considered within our UK Carbon Footprint statistics.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_68

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to consult UK maritime stakeholders on the implementation of the UN Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. \p Emma Hardy: Defra will be launching a consultation on implementation of Part IV of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement on Environmental Impact Assessments. Through this consultation, we will seek information from UK maritime stakeholders on marine activities occurring in areas beyond national jurisdiction and views on marine licensing regime arrangements.

The proposed changes in the consultation will be further to provisions in Part 4 of the BBNJ Bill which was introduced in Parliament on 10 September 2025.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_69

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the cost implications of transferring research and advisory functions from Network Rail to Great British Railways. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will publish environmental impact assessments for plans to expand (a) Heathrow, (b) Luton and (c) Gatwick airports that include Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of track access charges for operators outside Great British Railways following the implementation of the Railways Bill on applications for (a) new and (b) renewed access rights. \p Keir Mather: The Government is fundamentally reforming the track access charging framework by transferring the responsibility for who sets charges from the ORR to GBR. This is so the body who maintains the infrastructure (GBR) will be able to set charges appropriately to recover those costs associated with running services on its network.

Regarding existing rights, the charges already in place will be honoured for the current control period (until April 2029).
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85911 on Railways: Fares, what estimate she has made of the percentage of passengers travelling from (a) London, (b) York, (c) Newcastle and (d) Edinburgh who would experience fare increases under the demand-based pricing model trialled by LNER. \p Keir Mather: The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) ‘Simpler Fares’ trial is running on routes from the London area to stations between and around Newcastle and Edinburgh. York is not a station in the trial.

The trial aims to address the situation where some ‘peak’ trains run nearly empty while some ‘off-peak’ trains are overcrowded by adjusting pricing to reduce crowding, making travel more comfortable for passengers.

The trial allows passengers to benefit from increased flexibility at lower prices than before, and LNER reports that, as of July 2025, around a third of the new Semi-Flexible (70 minutes Flex) fares sold in the preceding four weeks cost less than the old Super Off-Peak fare.

The results of this trial will be carefully considered before taking any further decisions.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_73

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Question 77641 on Railways: Facilities Agreements, if she will publish (a) the terms of reference, (b) the memorandum of understanding and (c) associated documents which set out the role of DfT Operator Limited in operation of the railways, (i) prior to and (ii) subsequent to renationalisation. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025 to Question 86324 on DfT Operator: Standards, if she will publish copies of all written instructions issued by her Department to DfT Operator train operating companies since April 2024. \p Keir Mather: The Department does not routinely publish instructions made to train operators.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_75

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press notice entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025, what the total full-time employee equivalent contribution of the defence driving examiners is expected to be during the year of their deployment. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has agreed with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) will do driving tests for one day a week for 12 months. This equates to a total full-time employee equivalent contribution of up to 6,500 more tests during the year of their deployment. The DDE will predominantly focus on car driving tests but will have the flexibility to do vocational testing as well if needed.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 6462 on Driving Tests: Waiting Lists, what the monthly average waiting time for a car practical driving test was at each (a) driving test centre and (b) zone in each month since April 2015. \p Simon Lightwood: The answer to Question 6462 on 9 October 2024 provided data covering April 2015 to September 2024. The attached spreadsheet shows the monthly average waiting time for a car practical driving test at each driving test centre and zone for each month between October 2024 and October 2025.

Table - Driving test waiting times (xlsx, 40.2KB)
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of diesel vehicles in the UK that are fitted with illegal defeat devices. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is investigating a range of Euro 5 and early Euro 6 diesel vehicles where potential non-compliance has been identified.

There are currently 95 vehicle models from 28 brands under investigation. Manufacturers with a vehicle model under investigation have received a notification of this. For legal and operational reasons, the DVSA does not publish case-specific figures during active investigations.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_78

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost of repairing all potholes in England; and how much funding her Department has made available in each financial year where data is available. \p Simon Lightwood: This Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting local authorities in maintaining and renewing the local highway network. This is why the Government announced a funding uplift of £500 million for the 2025/26 financial year, bringing the total to almost £1.6 billion. It is estimated that this funding will enable councils to cover the cost of filling 7 million potholes which goes well beyond our manifesto commitment to fill an additional million potholes each year.

More widely, at the Spending Review the Chancellor confirmed that the Government will provide £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve our motorways and local roads across the country. This funding increase will allow National Highways and local authorities to invest in significantly improving the long-term condition of England’s road network, delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.

Between 2021-22 and 2025-26, the Department has allocated approximately £8 billion for local highways maintenance in England.

This includes a range of funding sources including the Highways Maintenance Block, the Integrated Transport Block, Potholes Funding, Network North, the Local Transport Grant, and highways funding that has been consolidated into City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS).

The figure is exclusive of baseline highways maintenance funding and Integrated Transport Block funding that has been consolidated into CRSTS funding for 2025/26. The Department has not split out how much of this funding is for highways maintenance as, by the nature of the funding, it is consolidated transport funding for local authorities to decide how best to use.

The £226 million Local Transport Grant of 2025/26 is for local transport and maintenance more widely. Integrated Transport Block funding is for local transport maintenance and enhancements.

Further information on these funding streams is available online, at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-transport-block-allocations/integrated-transport-block-itb-allocations-2025-to-2026

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport-grant-allocations/local-transport-grant-ltg-allocations-2025-to-2026
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of School Streets schemes on (a) reducing air pollution and (b) improving child health outcomes. \p Lilian Greenwood: Provision of school streets is a matter for local traffic authorities to consider. The Department and Active Travel England published guidance for local authorities last year, which included information and research on air quality and traffic impacts. The guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-streets-how-to-set-up-and-manage-a-scheme
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of public transport accessibility for assistance dog users in (a) Surrey Heath constituency and (b) Surrey. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the importance of accessible public transport to enable disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. As part of our broader mission to break down barriers to opportunity, we recognise that more needs to be done to ensure transport is accessible to all, including assistance dog users in Surrey.

Our Bus Services Act 2025 includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of local bus services. Among others, we are requiring local authorities to publish a Bus Network Accessibility Plan, assessing the existing accessibility levels of local bus services in their area and specifying any planned improvements to it.

Assistance dogs can travel on all UK trains for free and are permitted to be on the train with their handler at all times. There is also an Assistance Dog Travel Scheme, which provides a personal, highly visible and reusable Assistance Dog Under Seat card, that creates a ‘protected space’ for assistance dogs and lets other customers know the seat and the space under it should be kept free. As these are national policies, they also apply to the Surrey Heath constituency and Surrey.

We are also committed to developing an Accessible Travel Charter. The charter is a commitment to a shared vision for accessible travel. It will aim to set out what disabled travellers can expect from their journeys and what to do when standards are not met, share best practice across organisations and create consistency in end-to-end journeys for disabled travellers.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_81

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to provide (a) additional funding and (b) guidance to local authorities to support the expansion of School Streets schemes across England. \p Lilian Greenwood: On 19 November 2024, Active Travel England and the Department for Transport published guidance for local authorities in England on how to set up and manage a School Streets scheme. This can be found on the government website.

Funding for School Streets Schemes is available from a variety of funding sources, including the Consolidated Active Travel Fund which was announced in February 2025 as part of £222.5 million of funding being made available for local authorities for xx-xxxx-xxxx. Additionally, the Spending Review of June 2025 allocated £616 million over the next four years to build and maintain walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure. Further funding is available from wider transport funds, such as Transport for City Regions settlements.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Helen Grant:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support local councils in dealing with emergency road closures by utilities companies; and whether she plans to allow highways authorities to extend working hours in such situations. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that emergency street works by utilities companies are managed efficiently and with minimal disruption to local communities. Highway authorities already have effective powers under the current legislative framework to coordinate and oversee such works, including emergency road closures. We continue to review and strengthen these regulations to ensure they remain proportionate and effective, and we remain committed to working closely with local authorities, utilities, and stakeholders to deliver a modern and accountable street works regime.

Emergency works are undertaken under an immediate permit to address or prevent circumstances that are existing or imminent and pose a risk to people or property. These works must commence without delay, at any time, and are exempt from the standard working hours that apply to planned works.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_83
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_83

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87421 on Rolling Stock: Leasing, on what terms South Western Railway’s rolling stock leasing arrangements were transferred into public ownership; and what the cost to the public purse is of those arrangements. \p Simon Lightwood: South Western Railway’s (SWR) rolling stock leases had the same end dates as the operator’s National Rail Contract, 25 May 2025. Rolling stock leases were negotiated and awarded alongside the transfer of SWR’s operations into public ownership. Details can be found on the Government’s Find a Tender website.

The Department had been aware of the details of SWR’s rolling stock leases from when they were first put in place. The expected costs of renewing the lease were therefore already recognised in expected future budget requirements for SWR.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_84

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 84700 on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, how much the DVLA has received from (a) Oxford City Council and (b) Oxfordshire County Council, or their agents who operate their car parks, in payments for personal details relating to number plates, to date in (i) 2023-4, (ii) 2024-25 and (iii) to date in 2025-26. \p Simon Lightwood: Some local authorities use intermediary companies which request data on behalf of the local authority and pass on the cost. While limited information may be available about intermediary companies that may request vehicle keeper data on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council or Oxford City Council, it can only be extracted and provided at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_85

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing free bus travel for care leavers in England. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to get to education, work and access vital services.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as expanding the eligibility criteria to include care leavers, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, which can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been allocated £66.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for care leavers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_86

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Great British Railways will be required to ensure interoperability between its ticketing systems and those operated by (a) devolved and (b) regional authorities. \p Keir Mather: Once GBR is established, it will deliver a high-quality website and app to customers, gradually replacing the 14 different DfT train operator websites that currently retail tickets. GBR will compete on a fair and open basis with independent retailers — as well as with open access operators and devolved operators, who will also be able to retail to passengers, just as they do today. The government looks forward to working with all stakeholders on the delivery of its reforms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_87

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025 to Question 86738 on Great British Railways: Finance, from which areas the Department expects to realise the over £1.2 billion reduction in the rail passenger services subsidy over the Spending Review period. \p Keir Mather: The reduction in the rail passenger services subsidy over the Spending Review period will be primarily driven by passenger ridership and revenue continuing to recover post COVID-19 and efficiencies and savings being made through public ownership.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_88

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average monthly pass rate for practical driving tests in the South East has been since May 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: The national pass rate for car practical driving tests in October 2025 was 49.9 percent.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency publish data online including data on car practical driving test pass rates broken down by test centre, including those in the South East: drt122a-car-driving-test-by-test-centre.ods

This data is updated annually and was last updated on 14 August 2025 with data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_89

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to balance safety considerations with efficiency requirements in Great British Railways’ statutory duties. \p Keir Mather: GBR’s general duties, including the duty to ensure efficient use of taxpayers’ money, will not negate GBR’s statutory obligations under the safety regime. The Railways Bill will not change the safety regime from the existing model that keeps the travelling public and workers safe, a regime that is well understood, that works and has made Britain’s railways one of the safest in Europe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_90

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of rural roads on self-driving vehicles. \p Simon Lightwood: The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (AV Act) sets out a comprehensive legal framework with safety at its core.

The Act introduces a new authorisation process that will test self-driving capability and identify a corporation to be held accountable for vehicles behaviour. Companies applying to authorise their vehicle under the AV Act will have to set out the area in which the vehicle intends to operate, known as the operational design domain (ODD). This could include the area or road type the vehicle intends to operate in, such as motorways or rural roads.

During the authorisation process, it must be demonstrated that the vehicle is capable of operating to the safety standard required in all areas of the planned deployment.

We recognise the opportunities automated vehicles can bring in providing new freedoms to those who may be unable to drive. For example, through improving transport links in rural and isolated areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_91

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the environmental benefits of decarbonising refrigerated transport. \p Keir Mather: Delivering greener transport is a priority for the Department for Transport and why we are developing an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy with the Departments for Energy Security and Net Zero and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Diesel-powered transport refrigeration units (TRUs) remain a significant source of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Clean solutions will remove these harmful emissions and improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_92

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to decarbonise refrigerated transport. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport is working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy, the scope of which includes transport refrigeration units (TRUs). This strategy will set out how off-road machinery can further decarbonise while maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment and supporting growth. To support this, we are currently reviewing the findings of a multi-year research project commissioned to ZEMO Partnership into the emissions from diesel-powered auxiliary engines, including from TRUs used on heavy goods vehicles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_93

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance she plans to issue on Great British Railways’ responsibilities for (a) national ticketing, (b) fare setting and (c) the administration of discount schemes for (i) young, (ii) elderly and (iii) disabled passengers. \p Keir Mather: The Government's response to the Railways Bill consultation has confirmed plans for the future of the rail retail market once Great British Railways (GBR) is established. It also set out GBR's and the Secretary of State's roles in relation to fares setting, and the continued safeguarding in legislation of discount schemes for young people, older people and disabled people. This is an important step in providing further clarity on how ticketing and fare setting will operate under GBR, and the Government looks forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders on the delivery of its reforms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_94

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 73726 on Passenger Standards Authority, what is her expected timetable for the delivery of the Passenger Watchdog. \p Keir Mather: The passenger watchdog will be stood up as soon as practicably possible following Royal Assent for the Railways Bill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_95

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to publish guidance on the Office of Rail and Road's enforcement actions for safety breaches. \p Keir Mather: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is the independent railway safety regulator for the UK. Its enforcement powers derive from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and range from giving advice and information through to prosecution in the courts. The ORR has issued a policy statement that explains how it enforces health and safety law and has developed an Enforcement Management Model, which sets out the factors to be considered when deciding whether to take enforcement action, to ensure a consistent approach is taken by its inspectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_96

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential environmental impact of proposed rail network expansion under the Railways Bill. \p Keir Mather: The Railways Bill does not propose any additional network expansion. However, the environmental impact of any future network expansion would be considered during development of such a proposal as per the legal requirements for such projects
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_97

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring Great British Railways to publish its (a) board minutes and (b) key decision papers. \p Keir Mather: We expect Great British Railways to be transparent in its decision-making and the way in which the Board holds the Executive to account. The full details of how that will be achieved will be set out in due course as the organisation is stood up.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_98

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants are working on rail reform. \p Keir Mather: This information is already published as part of the Q2 Government Major Projects Portfolio Return.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_99

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number Yutong buses ordered for operation in the UK by operator. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department holds partial information on the number of Yutong buses ordered for operation in the UK. The information in the table below is correct as of November 2025 for England only, taken from projects which the Department has funded. This includes buses which are in service and those which have been ordered. We do not hold data on any Yutong buses ordered outside of these schemes.

Operator

Number of Yutong buses

Stagecoach

215

First Bus

329

Kinchbus

21

White Bus

10

Leicester City Council

6

Nottingham City Transport

62
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_100

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has received the feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line from the Northern Ireland Minister of Infrastructure. \p Keir Mather: I can confirm that my officials have received a copy of the feasibility study from Translink. The Department will continue to contribute constructively to devolved transport priorities, fully respecting the devolved settlement.