theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the total value of (a) debts, (b) leases and (c) other liabilities per railway operator the Government will be taking on following completion of the railway nationalisation programme. \p Keir Mather: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government implemented emergency contractual arrangements which involved taking on all revenue and the vast majority of cost risk from the train operating companies. Therefore, public ownership of these rail services is not expected to change the Government’s financial exposure. For example, it is expected that future transfers into public ownership will see existing rolling stock leasing arrangements novate to the new public sector operator on existing terms, and so we do not expect changes to current cost estimates as a result of the transfer of operations into public ownership. Relatedly, to drive value for passengers and taxpayers, the Department is working on a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy, which will be the first for over 30 years, both to give certainty to the manufacturing and assembly market and to pursue modern standards of carbon-friendly traction and passenger comfort and accessibility.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on the number of electric vehicles currently registered in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Simon Lightwood: At the end of June 2025, the number of licensed vehicles that were battery electric was 3,313 in Newcastle, 5,220 in Northumberland, 35,438 in the North East and 1,464,860 in England.

We do not readily hold the respective figure for Hexham constituency.

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 the Mayor of the West Midlands on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station. \p Keir Mather: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87314 on 11 November 2025.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing bus pass use on weekdays before 9:30 am. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. Local authorities in England have the power to use local resources to fund further concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, extending the times travel passes can be used.

The Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country.  East Sussex County Council has been allocated £10.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish, including enhancing the concessionary travel offering in the local area.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the environmental impact assessment for the review of the Airports National Policy Statement will include Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. \p Keir Mather: The review of the Airports National Policy Statement will include a Strategic Environmental Assessment as part of the Appraisal of Sustainability. This will include consideration of greenhouse gas emissions.

A scheme promoter will then be responsible for producing an environmental impact assessment as part of the development consent order process and this will be considered as part of the Secretary of State’s decision on planning consent.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish a (a) draft access and usage policy for Great British Railways and (b) consultation for this policy. \p Keir Mather: It is our intention for a consultation on a draft Access and Use Policy to be launched during Bill passage to support implementation of rail reform.
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new cars were registered in the (a) Central Blackpool, Blackpool, (b) Bootle South, Sefton, (c) Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, (d) Hartcliffe, Bristol, (e) Townhill, Swansea, (f) Ely East, Cardiff and (g) Penderry, Swansea Middle layer Super Output Areas in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested level of geographic granularity.

Information on licensed vehicles at the upper and lower tier local authority and lower super output area (LSOA) are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether manufacturers who have not signed up to the (a) Science Based Targets Initiative and (b) Zero Emission Vehicles Declaration will be eligible for the Electric Car Grant. \p Keir Mather: The Electric Car Grant requires manufacturers to hold a verified Science Based Target (SBT) from the Science Based Target Initiative. Vehicles made by manufacturers who do not hold either a verified near-term or net-zero SBT will not be eligible for the Electric Car Grant (ECG).

The Zero Emission Vehicles Declaration is not a specific requirement of the ECG. The Science Based Target Initiative is an independent body responsible for setting the requirements for new SBT targets and accreditation.
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Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of bus franchising on community connectivity in rural villages. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is committed to delivering better bus services, including in rural areas. We have set out a plan to achieve this based on giving local leaders the powers they need and empowering them to choose the service model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, strengthened Enhanced Partnerships, or local authority bus companies.

Under franchised bus services, local authorities can assume responsibility for all elements of the bus network, including routes, timetables and fares. This can lead to improved levels of connectivity. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to franchising, and Government is engaging with Local Transport Authorities to identify potential alternative models of franchising that could be adopted and used by smaller or more rural authorities.

The Government has also allocated funding to five different areas to take forward bus franchising pilots. The pilots will test different franchising models to investigate how they can be implemented and deliver improved bus services for passengers, including in more rural locations. The pilots will provide funding, guidance, and practical resources to local transport authorities to identify the most suitable approach to bus franchising and wider bus reform measures.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85919 on South Western Railway: Personnel Management, whether the same company continues to manage payroll services for South Western Railway following its transfer into public ownership; and what the company's name is. \p Keir Mather: South Western Railway (SWR) has managed its payroll services internally following the transfer to public ownership. It is not outsourcing this service, therefore it is SWR that is responsible for its payroll services.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) she and (b) the Minister for Rail has had with the rail freight industry on the Railways Bill. \p Keir Mather: Details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations, including those with rail freight stakeholders, are published every quarter and this information can be accessed on the Gov.uk website via the following link: Transparency and freedom of information releases - GOV.UK
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of future levels of funding on Great British Railways' service provision. \p Keir Mather: SR25 and CP7 set budgets up to and including 2028/29. Future Spending Reviews and the next Periodic Review will determine funding levels, and what outputs that is expected to deliver, beyond 2028/29.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of grade separation to alleviate congestion at the A17 Pullover Junction in King’s Lynn. \p Simon Lightwood: The A17 Pullover Junction scheme forms part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. The Secretary of State announced a review of the programme in July 2025, as part of which local authorities were asked to confirm whether or not they wished to proceed with each individual scheme. In its response to the review, Norfolk County Council has said that it will have to withdraw the scheme from the programme, because it can longer afford its local funding contribution to the scheme and because of impending local government reorganisation.

Henceforth any decision on the future of the scheme is likely to become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, following the election in May 2026, or the successor unitary authority covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions has she had with HM Treasury on reinstating funding for Aldridge train station. \p Keir Mather: Officials from the Department for Transport and HM Treasury have regular discussions on a range of transport issues. The designs are being funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) via its devolved City Region Sustainable Transport settlement fund.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that key stakeholders are involved in the (a) planning and (b) decision-making of works on junctions connecting to critical national infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Ahead of planned roadwork closures National Highways (NH) engage with local authorities' and key local stakeholders to inform them of the work which may impact on them and plan a suitable schedule. NH inform customers through its website, project information events, letter drops and local media to support road users in areas facing a significant impact from the works.

National Highways currently have no planned schemes in Surrey Heath during 2025/26 and have some renewals work planned during 2026/27.
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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of the (a) use of postal communication and (b) lack of digital alternatives at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on service users. \p Simon Lightwood: The large majority of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s services are available digitally.

To reduce the use of postal communications, the DVLA has introduced digital reminders alongside existing options for both vehicle excise duty and driver licensing through its Driver and Vehicle Account. The DVLA has future plans to provide further secure communications through the account. These will be introduced following customer insight testing to ensure that they meet customer needs and are fully effective.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to provide more resources to Bedfordshire Police for increased enforcement against illegal usage of e-scooters. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government will continue to support the police to ensure they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation, including those relating to offences involving e-scooters.

The police are operationally independent and decide how resources are deployed across a range of road policing priorities.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled First-time buyers to benefit from 40,000 new homes on brownfield railway land, published on 30 June 2025, whether these properties will be earmarked for first-time buyers. \p Simon Lightwood: First time buyers will be amongst those to benefit from the 40,000 homes unlocked over the next decade on a mix of surplus Department for Transport land and third-party land. Platform4 is committed to providing a mix of housing, including affordable and build to rent. Planning policy on first time buyers will be locally led.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people travelled by bus in Greater Manchester for each year from 2010 to date; and what assessment has her Department made of trends in the level of bus travel during the current spending period. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department does not hold data on the number of people that travelled by bus in Greater Manchester.

The Department does publish statistics on the number of bus journeys in Greater Manchester in the Annual Bus Statistics. These are available in Table BUS01e: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus-statistics-data-tables#local-bus-passenger-journeys-bus01.

The Government knows that local bus services are not delivering for all in many areas of the country, and we are committed to improving services and growing usage. That is why we have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders to enable them to deliver better bus services that meet the needs of their communities. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been allocated £66.4 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across the area.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has emergency contingency plans in the event of remote de-activation of buses by a foreign manufacturer. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government takes national security extremely seriously and recognises the systematic challenges of increased connectivity and the cyber security implications for almost every area of government policy, including vehicles. The Department works closely with the transport sector, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and other government departments to understand and respond to cyber vulnerabilities.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has made on reducing driving test waiting times in the South East since April 2025. \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 as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

DVSA is continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country, including in the Southeast 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.

Between June - October 2025, DVSA has conducted an extra 56,336 total tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme the agency introduce in June 2025.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will take steps to ensure that vehicles fitted with illegal emissions defeat devices are (a) recalled and (b) rectified at no cost to the vehicle owner. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Where an investigation into the emissions has identified emissions that do not meet the required standard, the MSU will work with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans and, where necessary, recall affected vehicles. In the event of non-compliance, work to bring the vehicle into compliance will be done at no expense to the owner.
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many new cars were registered in (a) Blackpool South, (b) Birkenhead, (c) Bootle, (d) Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, (e) Rhondda and Ogmore, (f) Hartlepool and (g) Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituencies in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested geographic level.

Information on licensed vehicles broken down by Upper and lower tier local authorities and lower super output areas (LSOA) are available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) single sex and (b) gender neutral bathroom facilities her Department provides in its premises. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport’s main Whitehall building, Great Minster House, has 112 individual self-contained lockable toilet rooms which contain a toilet, washbasin and hand-drying facilities. This is in addition to 20 wheelchair accessible toilets.
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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure more children are able to cycle safely to school. \p Lilian Greenwood: Active Travel England provides funding to The Bikeability Trust to deliver Bikeability cycle training to children in England (outside London). In addition, active travel revenue funding can be used by local authorities to deliver cycle training and engagement programmes outside of Bikeability.

On 19 November 2024, Active Travel England and the Department for Transport published guidance for local authorities in England on how to set up and manage a School Streets scheme. School Streets can improve the experiences of a school’s pupils, staff, visitors, and neighbours alike at peak school arrival and departure times.

In the joint statement (issued 2 July 2025) on walking, wheeling and cycling, the Mayors of England’s Combined Authorities committed to transforming the school run by delivering high-quality, safer routes in neighbourhoods nationwide.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on supporting the maritime sector to (a) decarbonise and (b) transition to clean fuels and technologies. \p Keir Mather: In March, the Department published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, which sets a pathway to zero emissions for the domestic shipping sector and sets out the policies we will implement to support this transition. This strategy provides certainty and allows the sector to unlock the private investment required to transition to clean fuels and technologies.

We are delivering on the commitments we set out to the maritime sector with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme expanding to maritime from next year, and we will be consulting on domestic fuel regulations which will limit the greenhouse gas intensity of maritime fuels.

To further support transition to fuels and technologies, I announced a further £448m of R&D funding for UK SHORE which is accelerating maritime decarbonisation through targeted R&D investment, funding projects across the UK from demonstrations and commercial trials to scientific research and feasibility studies.

Internationally, the UK will work with others to drive forward global maritime decarbonisation efforts and provide industry with the certainty it needs.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed Metrolink tram extension in Greater Manchester; and if it plans to fund further (a) feasibility and (b) business case studies for new routes in and around Oldham. \p Simon Lightwood: The responsibility for local transport in Greater Manchester, including the operation, development and future enhancement of the Metrolink network is a matter for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Mayor.

Between 2022-23 and 2026-27, we are providing £1.07bn of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding to Greater Manchester to deliver transformational change to Greater Manchester’s transport infrastructure. Beyond that, we have confirmed a £2.5bn Transport for City Regions settlement for Greater Manchester from 2027-28 to 2031-32.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to (a) support careers in the maritime sector for young people and (b) create (i) green jobs for existing workers and (ii) high-quality jobs in coastal communities. \p Keir Mather: The Department is committed to ensuring the UK maritime sector continues to provide high-quality careers at sea and on shore for young people in coastal areas.

Officials continue to work with industry to ensure that the green skills training offer is relevant and accessible, and that high-quality jobs are available across the sector, including on shore and in our ports, to support its transition to decarbonisation and use of new technologies including automation. For example, through the Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme, DfT and the MCA have future-proofed seafarer training by including future ‘cleaner’ fuels into the cadet curriculum. DfT officials are also engaging across government to build on the role of ports as a foundational sector in the Industrial Strategy and will support work to build a jobs plan as part of its implementation.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what protections exist to protect land and operations afforded to rail freight from (a) the risks of redevelopment and (b) other legal and commercial challenges; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing protections. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises that safeguarding strategically important sites for rail freight is vital to securing the growth of the sector and is committed to continuing to protect strategic freight sites. Currently, the consent of the Office of Rail and Road is required for any land disposals by Network Rail under its Licence Conditions 16 and 17.

The Department is currently working through a range of options to ensure their continued protection as we reform the railway. Any consideration by Great British Railways when disposing of land would have to take into account the duty to promote rail freight and the Secretary of State’s growth target, together with its other duties set out in the Railways Bill.
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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a waterbourne taxi passenger service across the Solent. \p Keir Mather: The Department has made no assessment. We recognise the benefits of cross Solent services, such as the Gosport Ferry, particularly in relation to accessing jobs and recreational opportunities. However, these services operate in a commercial environment without any intervention from the Government.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential security implications of the operation of buses that have been bought from China that can potentially be remotely deactivated. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government takes national security extremely seriously and recognises the systematic challenges of increased connectivity and the cyber security implications for almost every area of government policy, including vehicles. The Department works closely with the transport sector, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and other government departments to understand and respond to cyber vulnerabilities.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on the number of electric charging points in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Keir Mather: The below table presents the number of public charging devices as of 1st October 2025 in Hexham constituency, Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne, the North East, and England.

Area

Number of public charging devices, 1st October 2025

Hexham constituency

237

Northumberland

611

Newcastle upon Tyne

277

North East

2,698

England

74,115
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has carried out a value for money analysis of the Electric Car Grant. \p Keir Mather: Yes, the Department has completed an internal value for money assessment for the Electric Car Grant. Officials will continue to monitor the grant, and assess its value for money, to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent in a cost-effective manner.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) process and (b) indicative timeline is for changing the eligibility criteria for the Electric Car Grant scheme, including (i) consultation and (ii) implementation stages. \p Keir Mather: All government grants, including the Electric Car Grant, remain under constant review to ensure they provide best value for money for the taxpayer. As stated when the grant was launched, the grant can be closed early or elements of the scheme amended, including the eligibility criteria, without notice. This enables the Government to effectively manage budgets.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will model the potential impact of (a) single 32 tonne drum mixers against (b) 38.4 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on bridges. \p Keir Mather: On 18 March 2025 the Department published a National Highways commissioned study on the load impacts of volumetric concrete mixers on bridges alongside the outcome of a call for evidence that ran in October-December 2023. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review

The report compared the forces exerted by higher weight VCMs to the standard model used for assessing bridges and found the load effects from these VCMs to be up to 17% higher than those complying with weight limits. This would put significant strain on existing bridges. 32 tonne drum mixers operate within the assessment load models.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made on the potential impact of banning volumetric concrete mixers above 32 tonnes on levels of employment. \p Keir Mather: The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on levels of employment.

The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs) was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review

VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning on 5-axel 44 tonne volumetric concrete mixers on (a) UK manufacturers, (b) road miles, (c) road wear and (d) levels of pollution. \p Keir Mather: The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.

Some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, however, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.

As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport also assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_138

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will publish the full comparative benefit cost ratios of the transport schemes which she announced as (a) approved and (b) cancelled on 8 July 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: Business case documents, costs, and benefit cost ratios for major schemes, including for the Strategic Road Network and for relevant schemes in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline, are published on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_139

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule on (a) employment levels among UK-based HGV drivers working in international transport and (b) the competitiveness of UK logistics companies operating cross-border services to the EU. \p Keir Mather: The Schengen 90/180-day immigration rule has applied since 2021 to all UK nationals (including drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and coaches) undertaking short stays for leisure and work in the Schengen area. The Schengen 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory. As such, it is not UK Government policy.

The Department for Transport is undertaking a research study to improve understanding of the effects of a) the Schengen 90/180-day limit to date, and b) preparedness for the implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_140

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on the (a) mutual recognition and (b) simplified conversion of pilot licences between the UK Civil Aviation Authority and EASA member states. \p Keir Mather: Mutual recognition of personnel licensing and simplified conversion of pilot licences would require an expansion to the Aviation Safety Chapter of the TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) which is reviewed annually at the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Aviation Safety. The last meeting took place on 21 November 2024 and no expansion was agreed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_141

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people were (a) injured and (b) killed in road traffic accidents in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency in each year since 2020. \p Lilian Greenwood: The number of people injured and killed in reported road traffic collisions in the county of Surrey and the parliamentary constituency of Surrey Heath per year since 2020 are shown in the table:

Year

Location

Injured

Killed

2020

Surrey

2,881

28

2021

Surrey

3,150

25

2022

Surrey

3,600

31

2023

Surrey

3,482

23

2024

Surrey

3,096

25

2020

Surrey Heath

264

1

2021

Surrey Heath

260

4

2022

Surrey Heath

252

4

2023

Surrey Heath

264

2

2024

Surrey Heath

258

8
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_142

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of air traffic control staffing levels at airports during the summer of 2025. \p Keir Mather: Air Traffic Control (ATC) services at airports in the UK operate in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider of ATC and the airport concerned. It is the responsibility of ATC services and airports to ensuring that they have sufficient staff to safely and efficiently operate these services.

Neither the Government nor the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements which are agreed between private businesses.

My officials and the CAA, however, have and continue to engage with ATC providers, airports, airlines and relevant stakeholders to ensure that robust plans are in place to minimise possible disruption and to prevent delays to flights.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_143

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that National Air Traffic Services maintains sufficient trained staff to prevent flight delays. \p Keir Mather: NATS, the leading provider of Air Traffic Control services in the UK and other providers operate privately and have responsibility for ensuring that they have sufficient staff and resources to safely and efficiently operate these services.

My department will soon introduce secondary legislation which will enable the Civil Aviation Authority to accept the previous experience of third country and UK military air traffic control officers (ATCOs) towards achieving a UK civil licence. This measure will have a positive impact and help to increase ATCO resourcing levels in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_144

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve accountability for air traffic control delays and (b) provide access to compensation for affected passengers. \p Keir Mather: NATS, the provider of en-route Air Traffic Control (ATC) services in the UK is regulated against service targets set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). NATS has annual incentives linked to its performance and if this falls below target levels it may incur penalties. However, NATS is not penalised for individual incidents such as the technical failure of August 2023.

UK airport tower ATC services operate in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider and the airport concerned. Providers have responsibility for ensuring that they have sufficient staff to safely and efficiently operate these services.

Neither the Government nor the CAA has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements.

My officials and the CAA, however, have and continue to engage with ATC providers, airports, airlines and relevant stakeholders to ensure that robust plans are in place to minimise possible disruption and to prevent delays to flights.

Airlines are responsible for the rights of their passengers, including providing refunds or re-routing for cancelled flights and care and assistance, such as refreshments or hotel accommodation where an overnight stay is necessary, whilst passengers are waiting for their flight.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_145

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83938 on Roads: Horses, if she will make an assessment of trends in levels of equestrian related incidents in (a) England and (b) Leicestershire. \p Lilian Greenwood: The number of reported personal injury road collisions involving ridden horses for the last 10 years in England and Leicestershire (local authority) are shown in the table:

Year

England

Leicestershire

2015

90

4

2016

97

2

2017

81

3

2018

69

0

2019

51

0

2020

73

1

2021

76

2

2022

68

0

2023

49

0

2024

59

1
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_146

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the relative operational cost increases for (a) rail freight and (b) road freight during the period from 2011 when fuel duty was first frozen for HGVs. \p Keir Mather: Fuel duty is a matter for His Majesty’s Treasury. The Government recognises the economic and environmental benefits of rail freight. The Railways Bill will place a duty on Great British Railways to grow rail freight, meaning freight operators will benefit from a longer-term strategic approach to planning, including a new capacity allocation and timetabling process.

As part of continued support for the sector, the Department has operated the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme since 2010. The scheme is designed to encourage modal shift by assisting with the operating costs associated with running rail or inland water freight transport instead of road, where rail or inland waterway transport is more expensive. The relative costs have been reviewed to ensure that the scheme continues to achieve its goal to support modal shift and are kept under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_147

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department notified the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of its plan to cancel the A12 widening scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government inherited a series of unfunded commitments, including on the A12.

In July 2025, the Government announced that following the conclusion of the Spending Review it had taken the difficult decision to cancel the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme, to provide certainty to the public.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) was notified at the time. The decision was based on evidence, to which MHCLG contributed, assessed against a wide range of criteria, including housing impacts.

The A12 scheme had been repeatedly deferred by the previous Government, in which the Rt Hon Member served.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_148

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport has not spent money on electric vehicle (EV) charging device installations on the central Department estate since July 2024. The Department for Transport does not hold information on money spent by its arm’s-length bodies on EV charging infrastructure or vehicles.

According to industry statistics the average upfront price difference between new electric and new petrol cars is 19%, compared to 29% last year. DfT analysis shows that by switching to an EV, drivers could save as much as £1,500 a year compared to petrol car drivers on running and vehicle maintenance costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_149

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local authority taxi and private hire licensing enforcement policies are brought into line with the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards. \p Lilian Greenwood: We are currently reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance issued by the Department on actions they should take on licensing matters including safety. Where key safety recommendations from the guidance are not being followed, licensing authorities will be held to account.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_150

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Northern Ireland on electric vehicle charging provision. \p Keir Mather: My officials regularly engage with the Department for Infrastructure on zero emission vehicle (ZEV) initiatives, including charging infrastructure provision. Minister Lightwood met the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure in April during the British-Irish Council meeting, and I met with the Northern Ireland Minister for Infrastructure earlier this month as part of the Interministerial Group for Transport. Both including discussions on the ZEV transition.