theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Connor Rand:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many speech and language therapists there were in (a) Trafford and (b) Greater Manchester in each of the last five years. \p Karin Smyth: The table below shows the number of full-time equivalent speech and language therapists working in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations, in the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System, in March of each of the last six years:

Year

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Integrated Care System

2019

99

286

2020

125

433

2021

123

433

2022

139

459

2023

154

492

2024

154

509

Source: the Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics for England, published by NHS England on a monthly basis.

These staff provide services in a range of settings, including in education. However, therapists will also be directly employed by other providers, including schools, independent provision, and third sector and charitable organisations, for which data is not held centrally.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Sun-Ways project in Switzerland, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using photovoltaic panels between rail tracks for electricity generation. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is committed to working with industry to radically increase our existing solar capacity by 2030 through a variety of methods. Rail track solar could be a feasible solution. However, there are some current obstacles that may inhibit the deployment of this technology in all areas. We will continue to look into these issues with Network Rail to determine what is possible.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero follows established government standards and guidance when collecting data on ethnicity. At present, there are no plans to introduce specific Sikh or Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in departmental data collection. For external surveys and research, we generally use the harmonised ethnicity standards developed by the Government Statistical Service (GSS), which currently do not include specific Sikh or Jewish categories. However, it is important to note that these standards are under ongoing review. In addition, while Sikh and Jewish are not included as ethnic categories, they are represented in the harmonised question on religion.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the timeline for the deployment of synchronous condensers that (a) have been contracted and (b) are planned; and what the scale of each deployment is. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold detailed information on the timeline or scale of synchronous condenser deployments. The responsibility for balancing the electricity system, including the contracting and deployment of synchronous condensers, lies with the National Energy System Operator (NESO). NESO is best placed to provide information on the status of contracted and planned deployments, as well as the associated technical specifications and timelines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which services accessed funding through the Industry Initiative component of the Warm Home Discount scheme in the most recent year where data is available; how much funding was received by each supplier; and what the value was of support accessed by consumers through each service. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem administer the Warm Home Discount Scheme Industry Initiatives of behalf of the Department. Their most recent assessment was for winter 2023/24 where Industry Initiatives delivered £76.4 million in support (£65.5 million in England & Wales and £10.9 million in Scotland) – an increase of £44.3 million compared with winter 2022/23. These initiatives supported over 2.8 million consumers across Great Britain by providing a range of services, including energy efficiency measures, energy and smart meter advice, debt assistance, benefit checks, and financial assistance payments.

The Department sets the overall policy and spending targets for the scheme, but the financial responsibility for Industry Initiatives lies with the suppliers. In 2023/24, 47 Industry Initiatives were funded in England & Wales and 25 in Scotland. The services and their associated consumer support values included:

For more detailed information on this latest assessment, please visit https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/warm-home-discount-annual-report-scheme-year-13
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is taking steps to monitor the timeline of the implementation of private sector investment projects arising from the UK–Japan business summit. \p Sarah Jones: Japan is an important economic partner, with more than 1,200 Japanese owned companies in the UK, supporting over 150,000 jobs across the UK

On 7 March, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visited Tokyo for the inaugural UK-Japan Economic 2+2 Dialogue. The two Secretaries of State were accompanied by a UK business delegation and met representatives of Japanese business and industry

On 9 July, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson travelled to Tokyo and met with Japanese businesses to support further Japanese investment into the UK. During the visit, Sumitomo Corporation announced its aim to facilitate £7.5 billion of investment into key UK infrastructure and clean energy projects by 2035. Department for Business and Trade officials are monitoring the implementation of these projects closely.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to agree legally binding protections for Chagossian cultural and historical locations. \p Stephen Doughty: We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians , including through: the establishment of a £40 million fund to benefit Chagossians; the ability Mauritius will have, for the first time, to resettle the islands other than Diego Garcia; and work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. We have also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians, so all Chagossians will remain eligible and free to make their home in the UK. The UK Government regularly meets Chagossian groups and representatives at both official and Ministerial levels and a new 'Contact Group' will facilitate dialogue between the Chagossian community and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on future programmes. This work may include discussions and support related to heritage, history and culture subject to further engagement.
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Monica Harding:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to regulate the use of conflict minerals in UK supply chains. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to promoting responsible business practice to reduce and prevent human rights abuses. We work through a number of international mechanisms, including supporting the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains. This enables business to continue to operate responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. The UK's new Critical Minerals Strategy will be published this summer and will help secure the supply of critical minerals that are vital for the UK's economic growth and clean energy transition, including tin, tantalum and tungsten, whilst promoting responsible and transparent supply chains.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 56762 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, for what reason the Chagos Islands deal will not be funded from the Official Development Assistance budget. \p Stephen Doughty: The treaty is an investment in UK national security, protecting the long-term security of the vital US-UK base. Payments for military bases do not qualify under UK's Official Development Assistance eligibility framework.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department's news story entitled Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office summons Georgian Chargé d'Affaires, published on 30 June 2025, what response his Department has received from the Government of Georgia following his summoning of their Charge d'Affaires. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not received any formal response from the Georgian Dream Government to its summons of the Georgian Chargé d'Affaires on 30 June 2025. The UK, alongside European partners, remains deeply concerned by the Georgian authorities' continued repression of civil society and political opposition, as stated in our joint statement of 11 July. We continue to urge the Georgian Dream Government to reverse repressive measures, release unjustly detained individuals, and engage in meaningful national dialogue to restore democratic norms and uphold human rights.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54794 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what the value of each annual payment is in cash terms. \p Stephen Doughty: We have published the full costs alongside the Treaty and provided further detail in the accompanying explanatory memorandum. These were laid in the House on the day of signature. The average cost per year in today's money is £101 million and the net present value of payments under the treaty is £3.4 billion.
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Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to ensure the protection of Greek communities in Northern Cyprus. \p Stephen Doughty: As a Guarantor Power and a friend to all Cypriots, the UK fully supports the UN-led Settlement process and stands ready to assist through all diplomatic channels. The best way to improve the lives of all Cypriots, including Greek communities living in the north of the island, is through a just and lasting settlement. I represented the UK at the next round of informal talks on 16 to 17 July 2025 and will continue to encourage the sides to maintain the recent momentum in the UN-led process.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) global health and (b) related international funding will be discussed at the UK-France summit. \p Stephen Doughty: As part of the UK-France Summit, the Foreign Secretary agreed with his counterpart that the UK and France should specifically collaborate on issues such as global health security; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); One Health, including Antimicrobial Resistance; reform of global health architecture; universal health coverage and equitable health policies; and nutrition. These reflect shared priorities in global health.
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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) steps he is planning to take to take to strengthen antimicrobial resistance (i) surveillance and (ii) diagnostic capacity following the conclusion of the Fleming Fund programme and (b) support his Department is providing to help laboratories maintain continuity of services while national governments build long-term capacity. \p Stephen Doughty: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a priority for the UK Government, and is vital also for protecting our NHS. The UK played a key role in securing an action-oriented Political Declaration from the UN High Level Meeting on AMR last September, including on the importance of strengthening multisectoral surveillance. The UK is working with our partners to drive robust implementation of the commitments from the Political Declaration. Regarding specific UK funding, we are currently working through detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used in future years, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments, ahead of publishing indicative multi-year allocations in the autumn.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a timetable for announcing a UK pledge for the Global Fund’s upcoming replenishment for the 2026-28 period. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK has long been a strong supporter of the Global Fund and we are proud to be co-hosting the 8th replenishment this year in partnership with South Africa. Over the coming months, we will work through decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used and then discuss the timing of our pledge announcement with the Global Fund and our co-hosts South Africa.
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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding his Department plans to allocate (a) to international programmes primarily focused on preventing novel pandemics at source and (b) through multilateral and bilateral initiatives where pandemic preparedness is a secondary or cross-cutting objective from 2025 to 2028. \p Stephen Doughty: We will publish Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's final 2025/26 Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts in July. Over the coming months, we will work through detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used in future years, informed by internal and external consultation and impact assessments, ahead of publishing indicative multi-year allocations in the autumn. We continue to work across Government and with our international partners to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what budget was allocated for his Department's involvement at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville and how many (a) officials,(b) ministers and (c) special advisers attended. \p Stephen Doughty: The Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean, led the UK's delegation at the Fourth Financing for Development Conference (FfD4) in Seville. Alongside the Minister, fourteen Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials supported and represented the UK at a range of events, including two UK-led initiatives, across the four days of the conference. No Special Advisors attended. The UK contributed £250,000 to the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs FfD4 Fund to support participation from accredited civil society organisations and academia primarily from developing countries.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, report to Parliament 2024 to 2025, published on 17 June 2025, what representations were made to the Special Envoy for Women and Girls by the women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from (a) Afghanistan, (b) Sudan and (c) Syria on potential steps the government might take to tackle threats and reprisals against WHRDs. \p Stephen Doughty: In March, during the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harman, hosted a closed meeting which gathered States, UN, and civil society representatives to highlight the shocking level of threats and reprisals against women human rights defenders (WHRDs). Baroness Harman heard powerful testimonies from WHRDs from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Syria who called on the international community to take greater action to support women's participation free from reprisals, and to condemn the alarming prevalence of such retaliatory acts.

The UK recognises the essential role that WHRDs play in promoting and protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law and is steadfast in its commitment to women's full, equal, meaningful and safe participation in all spheres of decision-making.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Giving every child the best start in life, published on 7 July 2025, what progress has been made in awarding financial incentives to early years teachers in disadvantaged areas. \p Stephen Morgan: The commitment to champion early years teachers was announced on 7 July 2025 in the ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ strategy. The department wants the important role they play to be properly recognised. We want to grow the number of early years teachers, with the long-term aim of having one in every setting. To support this commitment, the new financial incentives policy will give all new and existing qualified early years teachers in eligible nurseries serving the most disadvantaged areas £4,500. We are in the early stages of developing this policy and will provide further details on eligibility and the delivery method in due course.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department recognises (a) student nurses and (b) other essential vocational trainees as "working" for the purposes of childcare eligibility. \p Stephen Morgan: ​​On 7 July, we published our Best Start in Life strategy, which sets out how we will make real change happen for families across the country.

The working parent entitlement is aimed at eligible parents who wish to start working or work more hours, which is why this entitlement is conditional on work. To be eligible, parents must earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage, which is equivalent to £195 per week/£10,158 per year in 2025/26, and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year. Students of all academic levels may be eligible for the entitlement if they meet the eligibility criteria, including the income criteria.

We recognise the value of parents continuing in education and provide a range of support for students in higher education to support them with childcare. If they meet the eligibility criteria, students can also apply for the Childcare Grant and Parental Learning Allowance.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Oral Statement on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life of 7 July 2025, Official Report, column 680-682, whether Ofsted will publish updated inspection (a) criteria and (b) frameworks for early years settings . \p Stephen Morgan: Ofsted has delivered important changes to the way it works in response to the Big Listen consultation. This important work is ongoing, and together we are committed to improving the inspection system. Ofsted will publish the response to its recent consultation on ‘Improving the way Ofsted inspects education’ in September 2025. The response will include the updated education inspection frameworks, which have been iterated based on consultation feedback. The updated frameworks will inform Ofsted’s new inspection reporting method, the Ofsted report card, which will be implemented from November 2025. Ofsted report cards will provide broader and richer information about the quality of provision and outcomes for children and babies at the time of an inspection.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve the provision of basic life support education in schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: All state-funded schools are required to teach first aid as part of the statutory health education curriculum, as part of relationships, sex and health education. This includes basic treatment for common injuries, life-saving skills, including how to administer CPR and the purpose of defibrillators and when one might be needed.
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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help improve young people's understanding of climate change through the national curriculum. \p Catherine McKinnell: The national curriculum provides a broad framework within which schools have the flexibility to develop the content of their own curricula. Topics related to climate change and the environment are included within the existing programmes of study for geography, science and citizenship, and Oak National Academy provides free, adaptable resources to support teachers in teaching this content well.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is considering all subjects, including whether any changes are needed to geography, science and citizenship. Its findings and recommendations will be included in the final report that will be published in autumn.

In addition, we are developing a new GCSE in natural history. The GCSE will equip young people to understand and respect the natural world and contribute to the protection and conservation of the environment locally, nationally and internationally. An environmental science A level is also available.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the commencement of the socio-economic duty under the Equality Act 2010 on (a) school and (b) university admissions. \p Catherine McKinnell: The government issued a call for evidence on equality law, which included commencing the socio-economic duty under the Equality Act 2010. This closed on 30 June 2025.

All mainstream state-funded schools are required to comply with relevant legislation and the statutory School Admissions Code. It is for a school’s admission authority to decide which oversubscription criteria to include in their arrangements. They must ensure that their arrangements will not disadvantage unfairly, either directly or indirectly, a child from a particular social or racial group, or a child with a disability or special educational needs.

We will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background, where they live and their personal circumstances.

Gaps in access, completion and outcomes between disadvantaged students and others at university are unacceptably large and stubborn.
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Graham Stuart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on reviewing the high needs national funding formula. \p Catherine McKinnell: The operation of the high needs funding system is currently under review. Our aim is to establish a fair education funding system that directs resources to where they are most needed and enables improved support and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Because it is important that we take the time needed for this review, the structure of the high needs national funding formula is largely unchanged for the 2025/26 financial year allocations to local authorities and we are considering the funding required in future years, following the conclusion of the recent spending review.

We want future funding for SEND to support our plans for reforming the SEND system, which will be set out in further detail in a white paper in the autumn. We will also outline, before the end of this year, how the government intends to support local authorities in managing their historic and accruing high needs deficits.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students require transport to mainstream schools (a) nationally and (b) in Dorset. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department has not routinely collected data about the number of children who have their home-to-school travel arranged by local authorities. We intend to improve this area, so that central and local government have the robust evidence required to inform decision making.

In February 2025, the department launched a voluntary data collection about the home-to-school travel arrangements local authorities make for eligible children. The data collection exercise closed in mid-March. We are currently analysing the data and will be sharing findings with local authorities.
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Graham Stuart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of potential impact of local authority funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision on outcomes for children with SEND; and whether her Department holds data on children's outcomes across local authorities with differing levels of SEND funding. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department publishes a High Needs Benchmarking Tool, which offers comparative data on local authorities’ high needs spending and related special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) indicators across local authorities. This tool may assist in understanding variations between local authorities in how they fund SEND provision.

The department also publishes a variety of data on children’s and young people’s outcomes by special educational needs across all local authorities. A summary of these outcomes and their sources can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bdc2de3effd5b79ba490fd/Special_educational_needs_and_disability_analysis_and_summary_of_data_sources_Aug24.pdf.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the provision of SEND services in Sutton Coldfield constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: The constituency of Sutton Coldfield falls under Birmingham City Council.

A recent inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of the Birmingham Local Area Partnership’s arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) took place from 23 June 2025 to 27 June 2025. The report is not yet published.

The Ofsted and CQC inspection in June 2018 identified 13 areas of weakness. A revisit in May 2021 deemed that sufficient progress had been made in one area of weakness. The department issued a statutory direction in October 2021, requiring the local authority to take specific actions to improve their SEND provision and appointed a SEND commissioner to work with the local area. A SEND advisor has also been deployed to drive improvement.

Departmental officials continue to work closely with Birmingham City Council, and the commissioner reports that progress is evident and measurable.
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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) SEND advocacy organisations and (b) special school leaders on (i) attendance, (ii) attainment and (iii) wellbeing for students with SEND who spend part of their education learning from home. \p Catherine McKinnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and I continue to engage with special educational needs and disabilities charities, stakeholders and parents and carers on a wide variety of issues, including through weekly engagement sessions via webinars, meetings and visits. We also conduct roundtables with charities and campaigners, the most recent of which was in June.

These engagements will carry on throughout the White Paper consultation period into the autumn and beyond.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support she plans to make available to increase after school transport in rural areas. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities are responsible for arranging free home-to-school travel for eligible children. A child is eligible if they are of compulsory school age, 5 to 16, attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, a disability or mobility problem, or because the nature of the route means it would be unsafe for them to do so. There are extended rights to free travel for children from low-income families.

Local authorities’ duty is focused on ensuring children can attend school for the main school day, but public transport has an important role to play too. The Bus Services Bill will put the power over local bus services in the hands of local leaders to ensure networks can meet the needs of communities who rely on them.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve the early identification of young carers in further education settings and (b) increase (i) awareness and (ii) understanding of young carers by (A) college staff and (B) tutors. \p Janet Daby: Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the level of greenhouse-gas emissions from diesel operation on the Midland Main Line in the next ten years. \p Simon Lightwood: Significant benefits have been delivered through electrification of the Midland Main Line. Electrification between Kettering and Wigston was completed earlier this year and, together with enhancements south of Bedford due to complete in August, will enable the bi-mode intercity services being introduced by East Midlands Railway to operate using electric traction. As part of the close out of these schemes, we will establish the projected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the switch from diesel to electric operation on the route.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_178

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 60906 on Robin Hood Line: Standards, what proportion of trains on the Robin Hood Line were cancelled in each of the last six periods. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows that proportion of trains cancelled in the last six rail reporting periods:

Rail Period

All Robin Hood line services that were Cancelled

2024/25 - P10

3.78%

2024/25 - P11

1.40%

2024/25 - P12

1.92%

2024/25 - P13

1.55%

2025/26 - P01

2.34%

2025/26 - P02

1.31%
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the National Skills Academy for Rail’s finding that completing Midland Main Line electrification would create up to 4,300 jobs and more than 100 apprenticeships in the East Midlands. \p Simon Lightwood: I appreciate the investment opportunities that further electrification of the Midland Main Line could bring to the East Midlands but schemes that would have a more significant impact on economic growth have been prioritised as part of this Spending Review. There is still significant investment being made in rail. We also need a resilient and productive rail supply chain that invests in skills, technology, and innovation to reduce costs and increase competitiveness.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce battery-electric regional trains on East Midlands train routes. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has committed to develop a long-term strategy for rolling stock and associated infrastructure. This work will include consideration of the likely long-term future rolling stock needs across the network, including the East Midlands, and the opportunities for different traction types including battery electric trains.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of pausing Midland Main Line electrification on rail supply chain companies in the East Midlands. \p Simon Lightwood: I am aware that a clear pipeline of infrastructure investment supports the supply chain in planning resources effectively and ensures skilled workers can be retained. While further electrification of the Midland Main Line has been paused, there is still significant investment being made in rail. The Spending Review has ensured an affordable and credible network-wide programme of works has been established to support the Government’s mission to improve the railway for passengers and freight operators.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has undertaken a cost–benefit analysis of (a) pausing and (b) completing the third phase of Midland Main Line electrification within the period covered by the Spending Review 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: Midland Main Line electrification was considered as part of the Spending Review, which prioritised investment across all Government spending, taking account of business cases and affordability, including cost-benefit analysis. Continuing electrification to Nottingham and Sheffield is lower value for money, partly due to rising costs and partly as a consequence of having already delivered substantial electrification. We will continue to keep this project under review as part of our longer-term pipeline of schemes.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of trains were cancelled in the last six periods. \p Simon Lightwood: Information on train cancellations is published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and can be found on their data portal.

Table 1 presents the proportion of planned services that were either partially or fully cancelled in Great Britain, for each of the last six rail periods and the same periods the previous year. Please note that partial cancellations as counted as 1 service, whilst partial cancellations are counted as 0.5.

Table 1. Periodic Cancellations score (Great Britain, Rail Periods1 11 – 3 in 2025 and 2024)

Rail period1

Proportion of planned trains cancelled in 2025 (%)

Proportion of planned trains cancelled in 2024 (%)

pp change compared to last year

5 Jan - 1 Feb 2025 (period 11)

4.1

3.3

+0.8

2 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 (period 12)

3.1

3.2

-0.1

2 Mar - 31 Mar 2025 (period 13)

2.9

2.9

0.0

1 Apr - 26 Apr 2025 (period 01)

2.9

3.2

-0.3

27 Apr - 24 May 2025 (period 02)

3.0

3.2

-0.3

25 May - 21 Jun 2025 (period 03)

3.4

3.8

-0.4

Source: ORR Table 3124  https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/table-3124-trains-planned-and-cancellations-by-operator-and-cause-periodic/

Notes: 1. The rail period dates in this table are for 2025. Dates for rail periods in 2024 differ by a maximum of 2 days but continue to broadly represent the same 4-week periods. More information on rail periods can be seen on the ORR data portal (https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/).
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the English national concessionary travel scheme, if she will extend (a) free bus travel to before 9.30am and (b) eligibility for free buss travel to (i) companions and (ii) carers of disabled people who are unable to travel alone. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

However, local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the times passes can be used or offering companion passes for those travelling with someone eligible for the ENCTS. The decision on whether to offer discretionary concessions is for the local authority to make depending on their needs and circumstances.

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. Lancashire County Council has been allocated £27.1 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available.

The Government recently conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders and is currently considering next steps.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Mayor of London on (a) graffiti and (b) vandalism on the London Underground. \p Simon Lightwood: Department for Transport Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London on a range of issues, including London Underground maintenance requirements. Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of London Underground.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to respond to the consultation on Lane rental scheme approval. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport consulted with stakeholders on lane rental scheme approval. This consultation concluded in January 2025. We plan to publish the response to this consultation in due course.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what further steps she plans to take to make rural bus routes sustainable. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in rural areas in North Dorset. The government has committed to increasing accountability by including 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 Dorset Council has been allocated £3.8 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 has reaffirmed its commitment to bus services in this Spending Review by confirming additional funding of around £900 million of revenue funding each year from 26/27 to maintain and improve vital bus services, including taking forward bus franchising pilots, and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_188

Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether motorcycling will be part of an integrated national transport strategy. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Integrated National Transport Strategy will be published later this year and set the long-term vision for transport across England. As the strategy continues to develop, we are looking at all modes to understand how transport should be better designed, built and operated to meet the needs of people who use it.

To achieve the goals of the strategy, we have conducted a series of engagement activities to gather insights from transport stakeholders and members of the public. This has included a public Call for Ideas and an 11-stop Regional Roadshow where we spoke with motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups about their experiences of transport in England and what could be done to improve it. Everything we heard through our engagement has been considered to support strategic development.