theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the British Hair Council's report entitled Securing the future of UK hairdressing and beauty: the economic, fiscal & societal case for VAT reform, published in February 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory register of hairdressing professionals. \p Gareth Thomas: Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance. The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 already provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and HMRC will investigate evidence suggesting businesses have misclassified individuals for tax purposes and Government collaborates closely with law enforcement to monitor criminal behaviour.

The Government has no immediate plans to introduce further regulation of the hair industry, but we will always remain open to evidence
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the hospitality industry in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government recently launched a licensing taskforce to reduce red tape and barriers that too often hold businesses back and intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value less than £500,000

Additionally, we recently announced a £1.5 million Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects that align with Department of Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council Priorities. I am working with Council Members to maximise the benefits of this funding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on increasing levels of Foreign Direct Investment in the West Midlands. \p Gareth Thomas: My department have and continue to hold discussions on attracting private investment to the West Midlands and across the UK. We work with clients to understand their requirements and to reduce barriers which inform the client’s decision to locate in the region.

The West Midlands region continues to attract FDI across sectors to enhance economic growth and prosperity. My department, as announced, will include the new expanded Office for Investment which will lead the work on attracting investment into our cities and regions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department had discussions with the West Midlands Combined Authority prior to the visit to China by the Mayor of the West Midlands. \p Gareth Thomas: My department, with officials from FCDO, directly supported a number of Combined Authority leaders on this visit to China, which included the Mayor of the West Midlands. The programme focused on strengthening growth across regions to enhance investment and diplomatic relationships. Economic growth and investment remain a fundamental priority for this Government, and we will continue to support regional mayors and our nations to forge global relationships with investors and businesses to promote the UKs investment credentials.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in competing with large online retailers. \p Gareth Thomas: We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but include the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.

Ahead of these changes being made, we have prevented RHL relief from ending in April 2025 by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.

We are also working with businesses to understand their barriers to growth and High Streets will be a key pillar of our forthcoming Small Business Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timetable is for consulting on the long term future of the Post Office. \p Gareth Thomas: We will publish a Green Paper later this year which will set out proposals for discussion on the future direction of the Post Office.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on economic growth. \p Justin Madders: The Secretary of State, responsible Ministers and policy officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury. This includes on discussions related to delivering the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation through the Employment Rights Bill. Our analysis shows the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.”

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We plan to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support to improve the investment readiness of (a) women and (b) BAME entrepreneurs. \p Gareth Thomas: The government backed Invest in Women Taskforce aims to make the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur. To improve investment readiness, it seeks to break down barriers such as lack of mentorship, resource and networks for aspiring women-led businesses. In 2024, our Venture Capital Unit launched a Female Founders Cohort initiative to support women-led businesses raise funds from international venture capital investors.

In February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held with ethnic minority businesses (EMB) and the financial services sector to discuss challenges in accessing finance, as well as how we can better engage and support EMB founders.

We have also launched a Call for Evidence on Small Business Access to Finance to help inform government policy and initiatives, which includes a specific focus on underserved entrepreneurs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mr Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small business growth in (a) Sutton Coldfield and (b) the West Midlands. \p Gareth Thomas: Last year the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service which will make it easier for businesses in Sutton Coldfield, the West Midlands and across the UK, to get help, support and advice to grow and thrive.

The West Midlands Growth Hub is where small and medium sized businesses in Sutton Coldfield and the West Midlands can benefit from specialist advice on how to scale up, access new markets and receive financial support through the British Business Bank.

Businesses can also access other Government programmes such as the Business Support Service, Help to Grow: Management, the UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisors and the Export Support Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the Competition and Markets Authority's infant formula and follow-on formula market study, published on 14 February 2025. \p Justin Madders: The Government welcomes the Competition and Markets Authority’s final market study report on infant formula and follow-on formula. We are working with the Devolved Governments closely to consider its recommendations, and relevant Ministers will agree a formal response collectively. We will work to ensure that any outcomes are in the best interest of consumers and public health.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on business confidence and growth. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis includes con-sideration of impacts on businesses and economic growth and concludes the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.”

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We plan to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) public and (b) private sector employees can suspend (i) check off and (ii) facility time for trade unions during industrial action. \p Justin Madders: It is for individual employers and trade unions to agree on appropriate approaches during industrial action. The government encourages employers to work constructively with workers and representatives to resolve disputes.

Public and private sector employers may be able to suspend check-off and facility time while employees take industrial action, depending on the legal status of those arrangements – particularly whether they are contractually guaranteed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ask the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the Joint Business Agreement between British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, American Airlines and Aer Lingus on the pricing model for transatlantic flights. \p Justin Madders: As the UK’s independent competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) has discretion to investigate competition cases which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate. The Government has ensured that the CMA has significant powers to investigate and act if it finds that businesses are behaving anti-competitively in a market.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on improving public transport for construction workers accessing the site of the future Universal theme park. \p Sarah Jones: The Government worked closely with Universal Destinations & Experiences to secure its first investment in Europe, which could be worth £50 billion in economic benefits, and create an estimate 28,000 jobs in the creative, hospitality and construction sectors. The Government will continue to work with Universal and other organisations involved in the delivery of this project to ensure operations are sustainable, which will include enabling construction and other workers to access the site via public transport.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of investing in industrial sites in the West Midlands. \p Sarah Jones: While the Department has made no assessment of the potential merits of investing in industrial sites in the West Midlands, we continue to consider industry’s feedback on the key enablers for strategic investment which includes the need for industrial sites.

We have been working at pace to develop an Industrial Strategy based on businesses responses to the Invest 2035 Green Paper and ongoing engagement with businesses, with the advice and oversight of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.

The Office for Investment is also expanding its capacity to better support and enable large scale investments, such as the recent investment secured in Bedford for a multi-billion pound Universal theme park.
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help increase representation of (a) women and (b) minority ethnic founders in venture capital funding. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department leads on the Invest in Women Taskforce (IWT) and the Investing in Women Code (IWC). In November, the IWT launched a £255 million fund for female entrepreneurs, which will be invested through female investors in the UK, including backing female emerging fund managers. Signatories to the IWC diversify their investment committees and decision makers, recognising diverse leaders make better decisions.

In February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held with the finance industry, including Venture Capital representatives, to address access to finance issues for ethnic minority founders.

We have also launched a Call for Evidence on Small Business Access to Finance to help inform government policy and initiatives, which includes a specific focus on underserved entrepreneurs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will take steps to support small businesses following the introduction of US tariffs. \p Gareth Thomas: We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works for both countries but this Government will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. On 3 April, we launched a Request for Input from businesses, offering them a chance to influence the design of a possible UK response.

We continue to support businesses of all sizes to grow and export globally, including to the US. Through Great.gov.uk, businesses will be able to access export support programmes including the Export Academy, International Markets Network, Growth Hubs and Help to Grow: Management scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to small businesses in (a) Devon and (b) other rural areas. \p Gareth Thomas: Last year the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service which will make it easier for businesses across Devon and the rest of the UK and in rural areas, to get help, support and advice to grow and thrive.

The South West Growth Hub is where small and medium sized businesses in Devon and the surrounding rural areas can benefit from specialist advice on how to scale up, access new markets and receive financial support through the British Business Bank.

Businesses can also access other Government programmes such as the Business Support Service, Help to Grow: Management, the UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisors and the Export Support Service.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the ongoing e-scooter trials, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of e-scooters on (a) the modal shift of transport away from private cars and (b) reducing traffic congestion in trial areas; and what estimate she has made of the number of collisions involving e-scooters. \p Simon Lightwood: 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.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations she has received from Historic England on Network Rail’s redevelopment of London Liverpool Street. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport has not received any representations from Historic England around the redevelopment proposals for Liverpool Street station. However, I understand that Network Rail have closely consulted with Historic England in the development of their updated proposals. Whilst Historic England had significant concerns about the original plans, I am now reassured that the revised proposals have substantially addressed those concerns. Plans are at an early stage and will continue to liaise with relevant stakeholders as the project develops.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the (a) frequency and (b) reliability of rail services on the Rose Hill to Manchester Piccadilly line. \p Simon Lightwood: The department expects operators to match capacity and frequency of their services to demand, which can mean increased service frequency where that is the right response - although these must also be operationally sustainable and deliver value for taxpayers.

Ministers have made very clear to Northern’s management that its current performance, including between Rose Hill and Manchester, is not acceptable, and that is why the Rail North Partnership, through which the Department and Transport for the North jointly manage Northern’s contract, issued it with a notice of breach of contract. This required Northern to produce a detailed plan to improve its services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to fund a disability access lift at Teignmouth railway station. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to the Access for All programme, which has delivered accessible routes at more than 270 stations. Teighmouth station was not selected by the previous Government for the programme, but the station already has an accessible route, and if any passenger is unable to use the station GWR will provide assistance or alternative transport at no additional cost.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of irregular rail timetables on (a) employment and (b) education access in Greater Manchester. \p Simon Lightwood: The department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to respond to expected passenger demand, which includes understanding local demand factors such as access to employment and education. These timetables should be resilient and provide value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate the carriage of (a) e-scooters and (b) e-bikes on rural train services. \p Simon Lightwood: It is for individual train operators to decide whether e-scooters and e-bikes are accepted on their trains, following risk assessments to determine the safety of accepting these vehicles onboard. In general, e-scooters are not permitted on train services, whilst e-bikes are permitted provided they meet certain conditions. This includes being road-legal, stored in a designated area and not charged on trains.

In terms of wider public transport, the government recognises the benefits that e-scooters and e-bikes can bring and published guidance to public transport operators in February 2024, aimed at ensuring that responses to fire risks are appropriately targeted, effective, and proportionate, so that the potential of these forms of transport is not unnecessarily limited.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps with her EU counterparts to help (a) improve the accessibility and (b) increase the use of UK blue parking badges in the EU. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has ongoing discussions with individual countries regarding continued recognition of the UK Blue Badge across the European Union (EU).
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the current caps on the values of fines available to local authorities outside London on driver behaviour. \p Lilian Greenwood: No recent assessment has been made. A number of parking sector stakeholders conducted research recently into this complex issue, and it has been submitted to the Department. Officials will be reviewing the research and its findings in due course.
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Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Pembrokeshire. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

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

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.

For driving test centres (DTCs) that serve Pembrokeshire, DVSA have three potential new driving examiners due to start training later this year.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve road safety for horse riders in West Dorset constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: In my answer of 28 April 2025 to WPQ-45414, WPQ-45415 and WPQ-45416 on horse rider safety, I stated that The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve the safety of all road users, particularly the most vulnerable. Key changes included the introduction of a Hierarchy of Road Users, which ensures that those who do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat that they pose to others, along with the strengthening of guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse riders.

The Government's flagship road safety campaign, THINK!, ran campaigns to alert road users of the changes as they came into effect and broader behaviour campaigns to encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance. Results from the last campaign showed that by September 2023 93% of drivers agreed it was their responsibility to give space to vulnerable road users. We will continue to promote The Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations.

Local authorities are responsible for road safety on the local road network. Section 39 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1988 puts a 'statutory duty' on the local authorities to provide a safe local road network. This includes road construction, accident investigation and analysis, traffic calming and setting speed limits. The Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness and provides local authorities with guidance on road safety measures, but it should be noted that it is up to individual authorities to determine how they meet their statutory duty.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of Community Speed Watch programmes in reducing speeding in West Dorset constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: Community Speedwatch schemes are initiatives coordinated by the police working with local volunteers to target speeders, and decisions on whether to operate local schemes are operational matters for the police.  The Department for Transport agrees that these schemes can be a useful way of monitoring speeds and encouraging drivers to stay within speed limits.  However, it has not made any assessment of the effectiveness of the programmes in the West Dorset constituency.

Turning to the deterrence of antisocial driving and street racing in rural areas, the Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament in February, includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour including street racing, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting driving instructors with operational costs. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

Fees charged by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) for driving lessons anywhere in the country, including rural areas are a commercial business arrangement. The department has not offered any form of financial support to ADIs since the register's inception and there are no plans to change this.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating new cars sold to have speed limiters. \p Lilian Greenwood: We currently have no plans to introduce mandatory speed limiters for new vehicles.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the amount of land owned by Train Operating Companies that is (a) unused, (b) undeveloped and (c) available for commercial use. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department does not hold information on land owned by train operating companies as they do not typically own land; rather they lease stations and pay track and depot access charges to the relevant infrastructure owner.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the amount of (a) land and (b) property estate owned by Network Rail that is (i) unused, (ii) under-developed and (iii) available for commercial use. \p Simon Lightwood: Network Rail owns c.52,000 hectares of land. All of Network Rail’s land is deemed to be operational and required for the specific functioning of the railway network. Land can only be deemed surplus once it has gone through a regulatory process governed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Network Rail regularly reviews whether land can be released from operational use and has a pipeline of potential sites that are at different stages of the business release and regulatory process. This is not a static list and information is released to potential purchasers and delivery partners at the appropriate time.

Significant sites that are in the pipeline for development, include:

Newcastle Forth Yards: a 100-acre regeneration opportunity which could deliver 5,000 new homes

Manchester Mayfield: opportunity for 1,500 new homes

Cambridge: a mixed-use development with 425 homes

Nottingham: 200 new homes following 348 successfully delivered homes at The Barnum, Nottingham

Network Rail also owns, and manages, other commercial uses on its estate principally within in its managed stations (retail and advertising for example) and within the retained arch portfolio.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing return tickets on disabled people. \p Simon Lightwood: We will carefully consider and give due to regard to any equality considerations as we move to improve fares and ticketing for passengers. To ensure disabled passengers are not disadvantaged, they can get a one third discount on their fares with a Disabled Persons' Railcard.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) Digswell Viaduct and (b) Welwyn North Station on levels of capacity on the East Coast Main Line. \p Simon Lightwood: An assessment of the impact of Digswell Viaduct and Welwyn North Station on capacity levels on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) was completed by Network Rail whilst developing the timetable that will be introduced on the ECML in December 2025. The Minister has approved this timetable for implementation, following an industry taskforce recommendation to do so, to enable the full benefits of a £4 billion investment in the route.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take with Great British Railways to reduce levels of disruption on railways. \p Simon Lightwood: GBR will be a directing mind, running the railways as one system, with a relentless focus on passengers. Track and train will be unified, creating a more efficient and reliable system meeting passenger and freight customers’ needs and ensuring value for the taxpayer.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many FTE staff work for Great British Rail transition team. \p Simon Lightwood: The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) was set up as a temporary organisation under the previous government to design and transition towards Great British Railways, including building cross-industry capability. GBRTT no longer directly employs any staff. The Department working in close collaboration with Network Rail, DfTO and wider industry partners is taking forward work on the design and transition to GBR.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of disability access at train stations in Newton Abbot constituency and (b) potential impact of removing customer service assistants at railway stations on disabled residents. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to enhancing railway accessibility for all, including those in the Newton Abbey constituency with disabilities. As part of the ongoing Spending Review, we are assessing public spending and cannot comment on individual schemes until the process concludes this Summer.

Rail operators, under their license conditions and Accessible Travel Policy, must participate in the Passenger Assist scheme, ensuring disabled passengers and those with additional needs can travel safely and with confidence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_139

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Network Rail on plans for the redevelopment of London Liverpool Street station. \p Simon Lightwood: Officials in my Department are engaged with Network Rail Property and Planning teams around the redevelopment proposals for Liverpool Street station. These plans are at an early stage and will be subject to planning consents. Both my Department and Network Rail will continue to review these plans as they develop.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_140

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on economic growth in Hinckley and Bosworth constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Midlands Rail Hub would unlock thousands of homes and drive economic growth, with better connections regionally and nationally and more reliable trains. This means more opportunities for the people of Hinckley.

In December the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a ‘zero-based’ review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_141

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with her French counterpart on the impact of restricted passport checking facilities at Paris Gare Du Nord station on Eurostar passengers. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the importance of smooth passenger flows at Paris Gare du Nord, given this is a key terminal for cross-Channel passenger services. Eurostar and SNCF Gare Connexions, the station operator, are delivering a project to expand the number of border control points and eGates within the current terminal footprint, which will increase border capacity. There are also longer-term plans to significantly expand the cross-Channel terminal in the station to accommodate expected growth in passenger numbers. My officials regularly engage with key European and industry partners, including Eurostar and the French authorities, including holding recent discussions to understand long-term expansion plans for the station.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_142

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43362 on Railways: Newton Abbot, if she will extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David's to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership. \p Simon Lightwood: There are currently no plans to extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David’s to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_143

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure that ticket offices in Devon are not closed. \p Simon Lightwood: I am not aware of any plans to close ticket offices in Devon. Closing a ticket office would be a major change under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement and any proposal to close a ticket office would require a period of consultation before any decision was made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_144

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of integrating cycling infrastructure with rural train stations. \p Simon Lightwood: We have recently announced £222.5 million to local authorities outside of London for the delivery of active travel schemes and community engagement. It is for local authorities to make their own decisions about where to prioritise investment in local transport networks, including links between different transport modes.

The Government agrees on the importance of a properly integrated national transport system and will be saying more on this in due course in a new Integrated Transport Strategy. Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks that are properly integrated with other local transport services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_145

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has conducted public awareness campaigns on the dangers of mobile phone use while driving. \p Lilian Greenwood: THINK! is the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by addressing a range of issues, including mobile phone distraction. In 2022, the Government ran a THINK! Campaign targeting 17-24 year old men and women, which coincided with the broadening of the legal offence of using a handheld phone while driving.

The campaign led to 75% of young men agreeing that it is always dangerous to use a handheld phone when you are at the wheel, with between two thirds to 80% of the audience taking action to change their behaviour after seeing the campaign’s short films.

Previous THINK! campaigns have addressed the role of passengers in distracting drivers, including through mobile phone use. Mobile phone campaigns also ran in 2017 and 2018 after the 2017 increase in penalties for driving while using a handheld phone. A radio advert asking drivers to ‘Put your phone away’ runs throughout the year via the Fillers service, through which radio stations run public service adverts at no cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_146

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with (a) Stockport Council and (b) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to provide Metrolink services to Stockport. \p Simon Lightwood: This Government is investing in transport improvements across our city regions, including Greater Manchester which is receiving over £1 billion through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. In line with the Government’s commitment to devolution, decisions on where to invest this funding, including whether to extend the Metrolink network, rest with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, in partnership with its constituent local authorities. The Greater Manchester CRSTS programme includes a number of schemes which will transform public transport and active travel in Stockport, including initiatives focused on bus priority.
wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_147

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of mobile phone usage while driving on the number of road accidents in the past five years. \p Lilian Greenwood: Statistics on road collisions are available based on data reported to the Department by police forces via the STATS19 data collection system. Within STATS19, reporting officers can record up to 6 factors which they consider may have contributed to the collision occurring.

The number of reported road injury collisions in Great Britain where a police officer attended and assigned ‘driver using mobile phone’ as a contributory factor are shown in the table for the last 5 years for which data are available.

Year

Number of collisions with ‘driver using mobile phone’ as a contributory factor

2019

420

2020

368

2021

440

2022

468

2023

463
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_148

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce stricter penalties for mobile phone use while driving. \p Lilian Greenwood: Government keeps motoring offences under review, and is considering possible interventions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_149

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to drivers prescribed medicinal cannabis on (a) driving safety and (b) legal responsibilities. \p Lilian Greenwood: There is a requirement on drivers to notify DVLA of a medical condition that affects their ability to drive safely. The DVLA will make an assessment on their fitness to drive. Information can be found on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving

The DVLA advise that medical prescribers should give patients advice on driving while using medical cannabis, as they would with any other medication.

This advice covers the main point that the patient should not drive if they feel impaired, and sometimes includes more specific guidance to support safe consumption.

DVLA publish this advice on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/guidance/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals

In 2015 the Government introduced a new offence in regard to driving with a specific controlled drug in the body above that drug’s accepted limit. The Government took a zero tolerance approach to 8 drugs most associated with illegal use, with limits set at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out. This includes cannabis, including both illicit and medically prescribed. Advice is published on GOV.UK www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_150

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support her Department provides to local councils for reducing speed limits in villages. \p Lilian Greenwood: Decisions on making local speed limits on roads in England rest with traffic authorities who have responsibility for roads in local areas. The Department for Transport issues best practice guidance to assist authorities setting local speed limits, designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal with local circumstances.

The guidance suggests that while government policy is that a 30mph speed limit should be the norm through villages, it may be appropriate to consider 20mph limits in built-up village streets that are primarily residential in nature, or where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high, where there is a safety case and local support.

The Department for Transport has made no assessment of the potential merits of extending 20mph limits or zones in rural villages in West Dorset constituency.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_151

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the headcount of the civil service (a) including and (b) excluding non-Departmental public bodies was in (i) June 2024 and (ii) the latest period for which data is available. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd April is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 97.5KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-30 conversation_152

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 12079 on Civil Service: Surveys, if he will publish the September to October 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office will not be publishing 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street in line with previous administrations.