theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether existing rail track access rights will (a) remain and (b) be unfettered by the introduction of (i) the Railways Bill and (ii) policies thereunder. \p Keir Mather: The Government has committed to honouring existing access rights. As existing contracts expire, operators will move on to new GBR model access contracts. There will be a need to make technical amendments to existing contracts to ensure that they continue to work effectively following GBR stand up and the Government has included a power for the Secretary of State to make such amendments as required.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to ensure that track access charges for operators outside Great British Railways will not be increased to offset the absence of access charges for Great British Railways-operated services or for other purposes during the court of their licenses. \p Keir Mather: The Government is fundamentally reforming the track access charging framework to remove complexities and the complicated ‘money go round’ that would have required GBR to charge itself for using its own infrastructure.

GBR will establish and consult on a new fairer simpler charging framework. The ORR will be a statutory consultee and in its role as a robust, independent appeals body hold GBR’s decisions under the framework to account.

To ensure transparency, GBR will need to carry out and publish a cost apportionment process which will account for the cost of providing rail infrastructure and the costs of its own passenger services using GBR managed infrastructure had they been subject to charges.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on improving step- free access at train stations in Northumberland. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department continues to work closely with Network Rail, train operators and local authorities to improve step-free access at stations in Northumberland.

For example all of the Northumberland Line’s new stations have been designed to be fully accessible. A number of stations in Northumberland have also benefitted from funding under the Access for All programme, including Morpeth and Alnmouth railway stations.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on improving step- free access for train stations in the North East. \p Keir Mather: The Department continues to work closely with Network Rail, train operators and local authorities to improve step-free access at stations across the North East.

For example, the Transpennine Route Upgrade will provide step free access at 22 stations. A number of stations in the region have been made accessible with funding from the Access for All programme, including Northallerton and Middlesborough railway stations.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time was for a practical driving test at driving test centres in (a) Darlington, (b) Middlesbrough (c) Hartlepool,(d) Northallerton and (e) England in the latest period for which data is available. \p Simon Lightwood: The average waiting time in weeks, as of October 2025, for driving test centres in (a) Darlington, (b) Middlesbrough (c) Hartlepool (d) Northallerton and (e) England, can be found in the table below.

Location

Average Waiting Times Oct 25

Darlington

23.0 Weeks

Middlesbrough

24.0 Weeks

Hartlepool

24.0 Weeks

Northallerton

22.5 Weeks

England

22.4 Weeks
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new cars were registered in (a) London, (b) the West Midlands Combined Authority, (c) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and (d) the Liverpool City Region in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The number of cars registered for the first time in the last five years in London were; 107,292 in 2020, 110,607 in 2021, 117,353 in 2022, 138,631 in 2023 and 137,198 in 2024.

We do not readily hold the respective figure for the West Midlands Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Liverpool City Region.

It is important to note, vehicles are allocated to geographic location according to the postcode of the registered keeper. The address does not necessarily reflect where the vehicle is located. This is especially true for large fleets kept by companies involved with vehicle management, leasing or rentals.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with (a) the West Midlands Combined Authority and (b) Walsall Council on using the new statutory role for devolved leaders under the Railways Bill to prioritise the reopening of Aldridge Station. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department welcomes increased influence of devolved leaders to help shape the future of the country’s rail network. This government has also confirmed a £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions settlement for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to 2031-32 to deliver its priorities for local transport improvements. Should Aldridge Station be a priority, the region could consider using this settlement to fund its delivery. Continuing designs and a business case for the scheme, sponsored by WMCA and undertaken by Network Rail, will be completed in Spring 2026.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of driving test backlogs on (a) rural and (b) semi-rural communities. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) fully acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, particularly those living in rural and semi-rural communities.

The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural and semi-rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for (a) Education and (b) Work and Pensions on the potential impact of driving test backlogs on young people’s access to (i) training and (ii) employment in the South East. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency fully acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times, and announced further actions.

The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support she is providing for the (a) provision and (b) enhancement of community transport. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the vital role community transport operators play in connecting people with their communities, enabling access to employment, education and other essential services such as healthcare.

The Department makes available up to £3.8 million each year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to community transport operators. An uplift of 60% has been added to BSOG claims for community transport operators until 31 March 2026. This means community transport operators will receive £1.60 for every £1 claimed, reflecting the increased costs faced by the sector.
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Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85197 on Motor Vehicles: Testing, what steps her Department is taking to support small and independent MOT testing stations in managing operational costs. \p Simon Lightwood: Independent MOT garages are a cornerstone of our testing regime, and their contribution to delivering high-quality MOT tests is greatly valued. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and play a crucial role in ensuring our roads remain safe for all users.

I understand that rising inflation and operational costs have put pressure on garages. While the income from MOTs has remained static due to the set fee, many garages do not charge the maximum permitted fee, and others are not solely reliant on MOT income to remain profitable.

The Department keeps the MOT regime, including the fee under review. Any consideration of changes must balance the needs of garages and their ability to invest against the interests of drivers in receiving value from the MOT.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on improving step- free access at train stations in Hexham constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Several stations in the Hexham constituency have a degree of step free access, but this often involves use of level crossings, steep ramps or long walking routes between platforms and this is far from ideal.

No stations in the constituency were put forward for accessibility upgrades during the latest round of Access for All funding nominations in 2022, meaning they were not considered by the previous Government.

Nominations for future rounds of Access for All funding will benefit from strong industry support and a proportion of third-party match funding, helping to ensure that investment delivers the greatest benefit to passengers. In the meantime, if any passengers are unable to use a particular station train operators are obliged to provide alternative accessible transport at no additional cost.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local authorities on whether the current organisational Blue Badge guidance adequately enables community transport providers to apply successfully. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department regularly engages with local authorities on a range of Blue Badge issues, including the local authority guidance. It is generally preferable for disabled individuals to hold their own Blue Badge, enabling them to use it in any vehicle they travel in, including community transport vehicles.

An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge as specified in Section 4(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000.

Local authorities must be able to ascertain that the organisation both cares for and regularly transports individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge, and that there is a clear operational need for an organisational badge rather than simply using an individual’s Blue Badge.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with HS2 Ltd on reducing the environmental impact of HS2 construction. \p Simon Lightwood: The Secretary of State requires that HS2 Ltd minimises its environmental impact throughout construction and operation. This includes through the Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs) for the scheme. The EMRs include an Environmental Memorandum and a Code of Construction Practice which sets out specific environmental controls that HS2 Ltd and its contractors must follow to minimise the effect of noise, air quality, waste, and water management and a range of other impacts. The Department for Transport has regular discussions with HS2 Ltd on the fulfilment of these obligations, including at the HS2 Ltd Environmental Sustainability Committee, and contractually requires the company to follow sustainable development principles and minimise adverse environmental effects through the Development Agreement between the Secretary of State for Transport (DfT) and HS2 Ltd.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the annual budget was for (a) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and (b) (i) Highways England and (ii) National Highways in each year since 2005. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows the main estimate budgets for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The data for the financial years before 2011/12 are not readily available.

Year

Resource DEL Including Depreciation (£m)

Capital DEL (£m)

Resource AME (£m)

Depreciation (£m)

Resource DEL Excluding Depreciation (£m)

2011/12

194.3

25.6

1.8

27.6

166.7

2012/13

188.4

26.3

2.4

30.1

158.3

2013/14

172.0

27.1

26.2

32.0

140.0

2014/15

128.8

15.3

7.9

35.8

93.0

2015/16

141.0

20.0

4.0

37.0

104.0

2016/17

113.0

13.0

3.0

29.0

84.0

2017/18

98.0

13.0

2.0

25.0

73.0

2018/19

95.0

14.0

2.0

12.0

83.0

2019/20

92.0

16.0

2.0

7.0

85.0

2020/21

93.4

23.9

1.6

10.0

83.4

2021/22

127.0

21.0

2.0

13.0

114.0

2022/23

139.0

21.0

2.0

13.0

126.0

2023/24

129.0

21.1

1.6

12.9

116.1

2024/25

135.5

20.0

1.8

13.8

121.7

2025/26

137.7

21.1

0.1

13.4

124.3

The table below shows the data available for the annual budgets for the National Highways. This data has been extracted from the annual report and accounts.

Budget £m

Financial years

Operating expenditure

Capital expenditure

Total

2021-22

1,173

3,086

4,259

2022-23

1,235

3,213

4,448

2023-24

1,345

3,421

4,766

2024-25

1,467

3,670

5,137
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with National Highways on reactivating the overnight lights on the Rubery flyover on the A38. \p Simon Lightwood: Street lighting on this section of the highway is the responsibility of the local highway authority rather than National Highways. It is for each local highway authority to assess which parts of its network require attending to and to what standards based upon local knowledge and circumstance. The Government does not intervene in such local matters. Hence, I would encourage you to engage with the responsible local highway authorities, Birmingham City Council and Worcestershire County Council.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of HS2 construction on ancient woodland in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: A Phase One Ancient Woodland Strategy was published in 2017. It provided a full assessment for how building HS2 would affect ancient woodlands and details each individual woodland that was forecast to be impacted, based on the design at the time of submission of the hybrid Bill.

As the scheme has moved into detailed design and construction HS2 Ltd have sought to avoid or minimise the impacts of construction on sensitive ecological receptors like ancient woodlands, wherever practicable. The latest design data shows that the forecast impacts on ancient woodland are now 17.7 hectares. This is a 33% reduction on the 26.6 hectares of loss that had been expected in the HS2 Environmental Statement.

Where there are unavoidable impacts on ancient woodland, HS2 Ltd have implemented a range of compensatory measures including new woodland planting, enhancement of existing woodlands and a £5 million HS2 Woodland Fund to support third party landowners to deliver tree planting projects near the HS2 route. The Woodland Fund has successfully allocated all its funding and supported the creation of hundreds of hectares of new tree planting. It is therefore now closed to new applications.

Further information on HS2 Ltd’s approach to managing Ancient Woodland impacts, including annual summary reports, can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-ancient-woodland-reports
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51729 on Railways: Electrification, when she plans to publish the whole-life costs for (a) full and (b) partial electrification for all rolling stock traction types. \p Simon Lightwood: Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Long-term Planning for Rail Decarbonisation' strategy, this strategy will include an examination of the whole life costs of each option to upgrade traction to set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway. We expect Network Rail to engage with industry as part of the development of this strategy and we expect to see a draft of this strategy before the end of this year.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of removing the 50 kilometre regular service restriction currently applied to drivers aged 18 and 19 holding a category D licence on the number of qualified drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises that the bus and coach sector has had issues recruiting and retaining bus drivers in recent years, and is considering next steps following the consultation held on this issue in April 2024.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of data-sharing arrangements between the (a) DVLA, (b) police forces and (c) local authorities in tracking cloned vehicle registration marks. \p Simon Lightwood: There are established data sharing arrangements in place which allow the police and local authorities to lawfully obtain up to date information about vehicles and their registered keepers. The police can also access details held on the Register of Number Plate Suppliers upon request.

The table below shows the number of occasions where members of the public have contacted the DVLA about correspondence, fines or penalties that they have received from third parties about the use of vehicles which they do not recognise or accept responsibility for. The table also includes the number of replacement vehicle registration numbers the DVLA has issued following receipt of these notifications. Replacement registration numbers are provided free of charge but the purchase of new number plates is the responsibility of the registered keeper. It is important to note that potential cloning is just one of the possible reasons why someone might receive such correspondence. A proportion of these cases will have been made as a result of errors, for example where a vehicle registration number has been entered incorrectly. Information about how many of these cases resulted in penalties, fines or enforcement action being withdrawn from affected motorists is not held.

Calendar Year

Number of reports

Number of replacement VRNs

2020

7,377

112

2021

7,430

61

2022

7,837

101

2023

9,848

87

2024

10,461

136

2025 (to 31/10)

9,385

137

Information on the total costs to motorists as a result of vehicle cloning incidents is not available.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of additional driving lessons caused by driving test booking backlogs in Surrey Heath constituency on families. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) fully acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access.

On 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA would take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times, and announced further actions. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

Driving instructors are not directly employed by DVSA and DVSA has no control over what approved driving instructors charge for their services including lessons, test fees, and vehicle hire. To help with costs, learners might wish to consider private practice with family or friends. Guidance on supervising a learner driver is available on the ‘Ready to Pass?’ website as well as on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/guidance/supervise-a-learner-driver.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help increase the availability of driving tests in Eastbourne. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

DVSA is also continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country to provide as many tests as possible. Since July last year, DVSA has recruited and trained 344 driving examiners (DE) who are now in post and delivering driving tests. A full-time DE can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.

Eastbourne driving test centre is part of a cluster of centres, including Hastings. A new entrant driving examiner has recently successfully passed their training course and has been testing since September. DVSA is in the final stages of a further recruitment campaign where both test centres will be advertised.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support the road haulage industry in Yeovil constituency. \p Keir Mather: National support for the road haulage industry includes joint investment with industry in lorry parking and driver welfare facilities of up to £35.7m. This is in addition to up to £30 million joint investment by National Highways and industry to improve lorry parking on the strategic road network. Further National Highways funding is planned for the third road investment strategy (RIS3) as part of the Customer and Community Designated Funds, subject to confirmation of National Highways’ RIS3 settlement.

Support for the sector’s decarbonisation includes the Plug-in Truck Grant which provides a contribution to the upfront purchase costs of zero emission vehicles, the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, which is now closed to new applicants, but is providing up to £200m to fund hundreds of ZE HGVs and their associated recharging and refuelling sites and the Depot Charging Scheme which closes on the 28 November 2025, and will support HGV, van and coach fleet operators with the cost of installing charging infrastructure at depot sites.

Qualifying Operators in Yeovil have had the opportunity to apply for national schemes.
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Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of driving tests in Broxtowe. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

DVSA is also continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country to provide as many tests as possible. Since July last year, DVSA has recruited and trained 344 driving examiners (DE) who are now in post and delivering driving tests. A full-time DE can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.

Nottingham Chilwell test centre serves candidates from Broxtowe. Since June 2024, DVSA has recruited six new entrant driving examiners who are now conducting tests at Chilwell.

DVSA has also advertised for this test centre in its recent recruitment campaign and applicants are working their way through the interview process. DVSA will be advertising again for this test centre in its next recruitment campaign.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answers of 04 September 2025 to Questions 73487 and 73488, if she will set out the benefits to British consumers. \p Keir Mather: The Government’s investment of £4.5 billion will benefit British consumers by reducing the upfront price of new zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), supporting the rollout of charging infrastructure and investing in the manufacturing and supply chain of ZEVs through Drive35.
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Tom Rutland:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to (a) encourage and (b) enable drivers who may be unable to afford a new car to switch to (a) electric vehicles and (a) more electric environmentally friendly cars. \p Keir Mather: The Government is committed to ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accessible to everyone. Many EVs on the second-hand market are now priced similarly to comparable petrol and diesel cars. Industry data on used vehicle transactions suggests there is strong and growing interest in used zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).

The Government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) is designed to stimulate the uptake of lower cost, new ZEVs. This will, over time, increase the supply of affordable EVs into the second-hand market.

To boost consumer confidence in the longevity of used EVs, the ECG and the ZEV Mandate require manufacturers to provide a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles on EV batteries and a replacement battery if the original battery’s capacity falls below 70% in that period. This is significantly higher than warranties typically offered for petrol or diesel cars.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Electric Car Grant scheme on market competition. \p Keir Mather: The Department completed an internal impact assessment for the Electric Car Grant’s potential impact on the UK market.

Officials will continue to monitor the grant and its impact, to ensure the scheme meets its objectives and assess its ongoing value for money.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ship emissions at berth on disadvantaged communities living near ports; and what steps she is taking to help mitigate that impact. \p Keir Mather: In March, the Government published its Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy that will reduce the impact of shipping emissions at berth for disadvantaged communities living near ports.

This includes expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to domestic maritime from July next year, putting a price on shipping emissions and incentivising the sector to decarbonise. The UK ETS expansion will include emissions from UK domestic voyages and all in-port emissions for vessels over 5000 Gross Tonnage (GT) at berth. The Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy also including a commitment to consider an at berth emissions requirement and we published the Net Zero Ports Call for Evidence to help inform that work. We are considering the responses to the Call for Evidence and what more may be needed to reduce emissions at berth.

Alongside these domestic measures, the Government is also acting internationally to tackle shipping emissions. We are supporting the designation of the North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area at the International Maritime Organization. In combination with the existing North Sea Emission Control Area, this would ensure all UK waters are equally protected by strict limits on sulphur and nitrogen dioxides. Analysis supported by the Government indicates this will cut sulphur oxide emissions by up to 82% and fine particulate matter by around 67%, significantly improving air quality along the UK coastline and reducing health risks for coastal communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage investment in port infrastructure. \p Keir Mather: The UK’s ports sector is largely privately owned and operated, with the Government’s role primarily to ensure that the policy and regulatory environment supports investment. Ports policy is devolved, with the Department for Transport responsible for ports in England and Milford Haven in Wales. My Department is streamlining planning and regulatory processes for these ports, including by updating the National Policy Statement for Ports.

The Government provides targeted support where there are clear public benefits, such as on decarbonisation. In September the Department announced a £448 million extension to the UK SHORE programme, the biggest ever Government investment in commercial maritime across the UK. In addition, my Department is working with the National Wealth Fund, which has committed at least £5.8 billion of its capital to five sectors, including UK ports.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_238

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms will her Department establish to resolve disputes between Great British Railways and devolved administrations over service provision. \p Keir Mather: The Railways Bill has been introduced to end the outdated model of franchising and structural fragmentation that inhibits how the railway is run. The vision for the future relationship between GBR and devolved operators is one of collaboration between public sector providers, delivering for passengers, freight and taxpayers.

The Bill requires the preparation and publication of two separate Memoranda of Understanding between the Secretary of State for Transport and Welsh Ministers and Scottish Ministers respectively. These will set out how UK and Devolved Ministers will cooperate with each other and how they expect GBR and devolved operators to work together.

The Bill requires GBR to consult Scottish and Welsh Ministers on its Access and Use Policy, which will set out the processes that GBR will follow when making decisions on access to its network and the criteria it intends to use to make those decisions. GBR will also be required to consult Scottish and Welsh Ministers on significant changes to GBR services to or from Scotland or Wales, respectively.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_239

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of (a) new technologies, (b) automation and (c) artificial intelligence in rail operations on levels of safety. \p Keir Mather: New technologies such as artificial intelligence present potentially significant opportunities for the rail industry to improve performance in areas such as safety. It is for the industry, overseen by the Office of Rail and Road, to assess how new technologies can be introduced safely into existing systems, and to consider how any risks need to be managed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_240

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2025 to Question 88113 on Utilities: Repairs and Maintenance, if he will publish statistics from Street Manager on the misuse of immediate permits. \p Simon Lightwood: As previously communicated to the Honourable Member, analysis of data from Street Manager has not indicated any widespread misuse of immediate permits. Since 2021, the proportion of immediate permits issued for emergency and urgent works has remained consistently within the range of 35% to 40%:

2021–22: 36.9%,

2022–23: 35.2%,

2023–24: 37.6%,

2024–25: 38.2%.

This year-on-year consistency suggests that immediate permits are being used appropriately and for legitimate operational needs. This conclusion is supported by engagement with both industry representatives and local authorities. The primary users of immediate permits across the periods were water companies, undertaking urgent repairs to leaks and restoring customer connections in accordance with regulatory requirements, and Highway Authorities, addressing hazardous potholes to ensure public safety. Details of Street Manager’s Open Data Overview is publicly accessible online.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_241

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what minimum safety standards will apply to Great British Railways infrastructure and operations. \p Keir Mather: The minimum safety requirements that apply under existing rail safety legislation will remain unchanged for Great British Railways.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_242

Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What steps her Department is taking to support investment in port infrastructure to (a) strengthen the UK’s supply chains and (b) boost regional economic growth. \p Keir Mather: The UK’s ports sector is largely privately owned and operated, with the Government’s role primarily to ensure that the policy and regulatory environment supports investment. Ports policy is devolved, with the Department for Transport responsible for ports in England and Milford Haven in Wales. My Department is streamlining planning and regulatory processes for these ports, including by updating the National Policy Statement for Ports.

The Government provides targeted support where there are clear public benefits, such as on decarbonisation. In September the Department announced a £448 million extension to the UK SHORE programme, the biggest ever Government investment in commercial maritime across the UK. In addition, my Department is working with the National Wealth Fund, which has committed at least £5.8 billion of its capital to five sectors, including UK ports. The Government is also establishing a new Supply Chain Centre which will be used to review priorities for our Public Financial Institutions and sector grant funds, ensuring that economic resilience is embedded into future investment and financial support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_243

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people have been employed by (a) the Office of Rail and Road, (b) the Civil Aviation Authority and (c) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in each year since 2005. \p Simon Lightwood: Information regarding the requested Public Bodies’ staff numbers is published in their respective Annual Report and Accounts.

The DVSA was established in 2014.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_244

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to set out inspection frequency requirements for the Office of Rail and Road under Great British Railways. \p Keir Mather: It will be for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent rail safety regulator, to monitor Great British Railways' compliance with its statutory safety requirements and determine the frequency of inspections it will undertake.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_245

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on requiring local authorities to allow at least two different payment methods for parking. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport have noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, including its recommendation on payment methods for parking, and is considering its recommendations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_246

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to ensure that (a) the Office of Rail and Road or (b) another independent body has powers to (i) oversee, (ii) intervene in and (iii) appeal decisions on (A) access, (B) contract duration and (C) pricing for freight operations. \p Keir Mather: The ORR will act as a robust and independent appeals body overseeing access and charging decisions made by GBR on the GBR network. The ORR will be able to consider appeals relating to all GBR’s decisions on access to and use of the network and its charging and performance schemes, ensuring fairness in GBR’s decision-making.

The ORR will have a range of remedies including the power to intervene and direct GBR to amend a decision or in certain circumstances, to substitute a decision with its own if necessary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_247

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people have been employed by (a) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and (b) (i) Highways England and (ii) National Highways in each year since 2005. \p Simon Lightwood: The data requested for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is publicly available information included in the DfT: workforce management information.

The data requested for National Highways (and covering Highways England) is publicly available information included in the Annual Report and Accounts. The only exception to this is in 2021/22 as the Annual Report and Accounts was not delivered in the same format following the creation of National Highways.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_248

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cutting-edge rail ticket technology to be trialled across the Midlands and North, published on 1 September 2025, for what reason East Midlands Rail and Northern were selected for that trial. \p Keir Mather: The routes in the East Midlands and Yorkshire operated by East Midlands Railway and Northern were selected as being areas of the rail network that do not have existing or planned Pay-As-You-Go schemes and with large enough passenger numbers to give statistically significant results, a significant commuter demographic, and where existing fares structures supported trial delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_249

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cutting-edge rail ticket technology to be trialled across the Midlands and North, published on 1 September 2025, how she plans to measure the success of that trial. \p Keir Mather: An independent evaluation of the Digital Pay-As-You-Go trials, including the one on East Midlands Railway between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, has been commissioned. The trial is currently expected to end in 2027, and we intend to publish the findings in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_250

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to discourage pedestrians and motorists from attempting to cross when barriers or lights are active at level crossings in East Tilbury. \p Keir Mather: Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways, is responsible for the safety of users at East Tilbury level crossing. It is aware of the risks posed to pedestrians and motorists at the crossing, which are reflected in the measures in place to manage these risks, including manually operated barriers and CCTV. To support further improvements in safety, Network Rail plans to hold a safety event with the local community to raise awareness of the risks associated with East Tilbury level crossing and to discuss how misuse can be reduced.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_251

Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of restoration of rail service levels to pre COVID-19 levels. \p Keir Mather: We regularly review and publish passenger demand levels and work closely with operators to ensure they provide sufficient capacity to meet demand wherever possible. We have been clear with operators that they should meet demand in a manner that supports overall performance improvement and minimises the net subsidy taxpayers pay for rail.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_252

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on yellow box junction enforcement by local authorities. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department will make an assessment on the report’s recommendations in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_253

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51730 on Railways: Electrification, if she will list all reports and documents that train operators have (a) submitted to and (b) discussed with her Department on the acceleration capability of trains powered by (i) batteries, (ii) overhead catenary systems and (iii) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. \p Keir Mather: Department officials are working closely with train operators and Network Rail to build a full understanding of the different traction opportunities as we work towards Net Zero in rail by 2050.

The Rail Industry has developed a range of evidence supporting the known case for the reliability and performance benefits of electric traction over diesel traction in rail. This includes work by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Railway Industry Association, and Network Rail, examples of which are provided below.

It is also important to note that these technologies, particularly battery, are rapidly developing and our understanding is constantly growing with the support of Network Rail and our train operators.