theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support victims of crimes committed using social media in (a) Eastbourne and (b) the South East. \p Feryal Clark: The Online Safety Act gives social media companies new duties to protect all UK users on their services, including users based in Eastbourne and the South East. Under the regulation, platforms need to take steps to reduce the risk their services are used to facilitate illegal activity. They need to remove illegal content when it does appear. They need to offer UK users reporting routes so that they can report illegal content, and they need to take effective action in response. Ofcom oversees these duties and has strong powers to enforce compliance.
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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his polices on the wellbeing of children of the level of effectiveness of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 in Australia. \p Feryal Clark: We have a close relationship with the Australian government, formalised through the Online Safety and Security MoU. This engagement forms part of our ongoing work to develop the evidence-base and monitor technological developments and international interventions to protect children online.

Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, online platforms are required to put in place strong protections against illegal content and harmful material for children. The government is committed to taking the action needed to ensure that children are protected while enjoying the benefits of being online.
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Daniel Francis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of online misinformation in the use of chlorine dioxide in treatments for autism on people with autism; and what steps he plans to take to help tackle this. \p Feryal Clark: This government recognises the damaging impact online misinformation can have. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". The NHS website highlights that products falsely claiming to be cures or treatments for autism are harmful, including chlorine dioxide.

The Online Safety Act requires platforms to tackle illegal health mis- and disinformation content on their services for all users – these requirements have been in place since March. Additionally from 25 July, services in-scope of the Act that children can easily access, will be required to protect them from legal but nonetheless harmful content, including that which encourages the ingestion, inhalation or exposure to harmful substances.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle cold calls; and whether he plans to introduce financial penalties on people conducting cold calls. \p Chris Bryant: Unsolicited direct marketing calls are regulated by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR), which are enforced by the Information Commissioner. The Commissioner has a range of investigatory and enforcement powers, including the ability to issue financial penalties. Details of enforcement actions are published at: https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/

Reforms introduced through the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will give the Commissioner new powers, including the ability to impose higher maximum fines for infringements. The Commissioner will also be able to take enforcement action based on the volume of unsolicited direct marketing calls made—regardless of whether those calls are answered by the intended recipient —reflecting the potential risk of harm to consumers.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on the amount of income generated by the Ordnance Survey from public subscriptions in the last five years. \p Feryal Clark: Since 2022-23, Ordnance Survey has published the revenue from paying subscribers to the OS Maps platform and app in its Annual Report and Accounts, and these are set out below.

2022/23: £8.4m

2023/24: £9.5m

The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25 will be published in due course and laid before Parliament.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve cyber resilience among (a) small businesses and (b) local authorities in Northern Ireland. \p Feryal Clark: Cyber security is a priority for the government. We are taking action to protect businesses, citizens and essential services against cyber threats. The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will improve the UK’s cyber defences and ensure there are robust levels of cyber security in the digital services and infrastructure which small businesses and local authorities rely upon.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers a range of free guidance, training and tools to help small businesses improve their cyber resilience, including the Cyber Action Plan, Small Business Guide and Check Your Cyber Security Tool. The government’s highly effective Cyber Essentials scheme is available to help small businesses and local authorities get good technical measures in place which prevent common cyber attacks. Local authorities can use the Cyber Governance Code of Practice to manage their digital risks. The Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre (NICSC), part of the Department of Finance, works in close partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to advance a variety of cyber initiatives aimed at strengthening cyber resilience among small businesses and local authorities across Northern Ireland.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure effective coordination between Government departments to tackle (a) the spread of child sexual abuse (i) material and (ii) harmful algorithms and (b) other online harms to children. \p Feryal Clark: Government departments work together on a range of online safety matters, with child online safety and wellbeing being a particular priority.

The Online Safety Act gives user-to-user and search services new duties to safeguard children from illegal content and activity, including child sexual abuse material and harmful content. Platforms’ duties to tackle illegal content began in March.

The child safety duties will be fully in force from 25 July and require providers to establish significant protections for children, including requiring services to consider how algorithms and recommender systems impact children’s exposure to both illegal and harmful content.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Government’s proposed Bill discount scheme of up to £2,500 over 10 years for those living up to 500m from new and significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: The Government’s 'minded to' position of bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years for those living up to 500m from new and significantly upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure aims to ensure communities are recognised for living within proximity of new infrastructure.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of community benefit packages from new renewable energy infrastructure projects on Inverness, Skye, and West Ross-shire constituency. \p Michael Shanks: At present, the provision of community benefits in Great Britain is voluntary . In Scotland, developers are strongly encouraged to provide community benefits in line with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles.

The government is, currently exploring mandating community benefits as we believe that where communities host this low carbon infrastructure they should benefit and the proposals were set out in the working paper the government published on 21 May.

Under voluntary or mandatory schemes, the process should be community led and the fund tailored to local priorities so that the impact can be maximized.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying a statutory 2% gross revenue contribution requirement to existing renewable energy projects over 1MW in capacity. \p Michael Shanks: On 21 May, the government published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure. The paper seeks views on the proposed introduction of a mandatory community benefit scheme in Great Britain, which would require developers to contribute a set amount to a community fund. The working paper intends to gather insight into what level of benefit is appropriate and how best this is calculated. The government will need to consider the impact on operational costs for developers of infrastructure, impacts on bills, and meaningful level of benefit for communities.

The government maintains regular engagement with key industry and community stakeholders across the country, which continues to inform policy development.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support clean energy initiatives in Eastbourne constituency. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is supporting clean energy initiatives in Eastbourne through funding and regional delivery mechanisms. The Greater South East Net Zero Hub provides technical and coordination support to local authorities and community groups to develop renewable energy projects.

The Community Energy Fund offers grants of up to £140,000 for feasibility and business case development of community-led schemes. A further £1.28 million has been allocated to the Hub for 2025/26 through the Great British Energy Community Fund to continue supporting clean energy delivery in the region. Eastbourne-based projects are eligible to apply.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating a proportion of gross revenues from offshore renewable energy projects to local authority infrastructure funds. \p Michael Shanks: Communities close to clean energy infrastructure should benefit from it. Offshore wind developers have established community benefit packages, and via the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Government has published guidance on community funds and direct benefits in the form of bill discounts.

The Government has recently asked for views on the proposed introduction of a mandatory community benefit scheme in Great Britain and will respond in due course.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that community benefit payments from renewable energy developments are spent on (a) housing, (b) reducing levels of fuel poverty and (c) social care. \p Michael Shanks: The government believes community fund packages will have the most impact if they can be tailored to the community’s preferences and priorities. The process should be community led and decisions on how community benefit funds are spent should rest with the community. This may include, for example, new school clubs, new bus routes, investment in biodiversity or local insulation.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) Denmark’s Promotion of Renewable Energy Act 2008 and (b) other international models for statutory community benefit contributions from renewable energy developments. \p Michael Shanks: In developing the government’s policy on community benefits, we have undertaken a review of international best practices to ensure our approach is effective and well-informed. This has included consideration of the Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme/Renewable Electricity Support Scheme in Ireland and other international examples.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with SSEN Transmission on community benefits. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the total value of community benefit payments made by (a) onshore and (b) offshore renewable energy projects in each of the last five years. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold data on the value of community benefits payments made by onshore and offshore renewables across Great Britain. Community benefit schemes are administered by the projects themselves and provided voluntarily. We have however, recently publishing a Working Paper on mandatory community benefits and responses to this will help inform our evidence base.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support people living in fuel poverty in Eastbourne constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government's review of the 2021 fuel poverty strategy and the latest fuel poverty statistics confirm that a new plan is needed to accelerate progress to alleviate fuel poverty. We have therefore consulted on a revised fuel poverty strategy, with a focus on improving the energy performance of homes, supporting low-income households with energy affordability and protecting them from high prices. The consultation closed on 4 April and we are considering the responses received.

It is imperative that fuel poor homes benefit from the transition to net zero. We are investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period (up to 2029/30), in line with the Manifesto commitment. This is a major step forward in the Government’s plans to upgrade 5 million homes over this Parliament and cut energy bills for good.

Support is also available through the Warm Home Discount schemes which provide eligible low-income households across Great Britain with £150 off their winter energy bill. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from next winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to review standing charges on electricity bills for households on prepayment meters. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government knows that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.

Ofgem have been considering how to ensure that consumers have a range of choices, including tariffs with no standing charges, available, including for prepayment meter customers. Ofgem launched a consultation on proposals to introduce zero standing charge tariffs which closed on 20 March. Ofgem will issue a response to this consultation in due course.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the energy efficiency of homes in Eastbourne. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help households, including those in Eastbourne, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. Support is available under current government schemes including the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Warm Homes: Local Grant, the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Recommendations for home energy improvements is also available at the GOV.UK ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home’ webpage.

Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many homes have qualified for new boilers through Government energy schemes. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Between January 2013 and April 2025, 889,589 boilers and 13 biomass boilers were installed under the Energy Company Obligation.

Between May 2022 and May 2025, 407 vouchers for biomass boilers were granted under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

No boilers were installed through the Home Upgrade Grant, Local Authority Delivery scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund or Great British Insulation Scheme.

Only biomass boilers are eligible for support under the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The schemes started delivery in April 2025 and therefore installation figures are not yet available.
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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support the expansion of consumer options for low-carbon heating systems for households that are unable to install a heat pump. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help households take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The government expect most properties will switch to heat pumps.

The government is analysing responses to the consultation on potential changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which included proposals to support air-to-air heat pumps and alternative electric heating technologies. The government will continue to review their position on alternative electric heating technologies as the supporting evidence base develops.

Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the National Underground Asset Register on roadworks in Broxbourne constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The DfT is supportive of the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) project. Strikes on cables and other underground assets are costly, lengthen the duration of roadworks and, most importantly, are a safety issue for those undertaking the works. Those excavating the public highway should already be taking all necessary measures to avoid strikes and safely plan their works, but anything that makes this process easier and reduces strikes can only be a benefit.

NUAR is improving the efficiency and safety of the way we install, maintain, operate and repair our buried infrastructure by providing secure access to data from public and private sector asset owners. These will include over 600 gas, water, electric and telecommunications companies and local authorities.

A specific analysis of the potential impacts of the NUAR on roadworks in the Broxbourne constituency has not been carried out. However, an impact assessment was delivered as part of the recent Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 which considered the impact of NUAR across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This assessment estimated the economic benefits of NUAR to be over £400m per year. This consists of benefits in efficiencies, reduced asset strikes and reduced delays to the public and businesses.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has completed the capital review of transport projects. \p Mike Kane: The Capital Review was undertaken by an external panel of independent experts, and has now concluded.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and what proportion of funding the National-Level Transport Scheme allocates to the (a) investigation and (b) completion of business cases; and to the immediate construction of schemes that are ready to build. \p Mike Kane: The department does not recognise the ‘National-Level Transport Scheme.’ and is therefore unable to provide an answer to this question.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding her Department has provided to improve rail services in (a) North Shropshire and (b) Shropshire in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department will review the refreshed Business Case for line speed improvements between Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury when it is completed later this year.

Funding for this scheme would be subject to a satisfactory business case which represents value for money, affordability and strong benefits for the country.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) operational cost and (b) salary of the Chief Executive of the Office of Road and Rail is; what assessment she has made of the (i) value for money and (ii) effectiveness of that office; and whether she plans to abolish that office. \p Simon Lightwood: The Office of Rail and Road’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2023/24 show a total expenditure of £40.77 million. This is detailed on page 53 of the report, available at:

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-07/orr-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024-web.pdf

The Chief Executive’s annual salary for 2023/24 is reported as being in the range of £170,000–£175,000, with performance related pay of £5,000–£10,000. This information is published in the Remuneration and Staff Report, available at:

https://www.orr.gov.uk/annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024/accountability-report/remuneration-and-staff-report

We would note that we expect the 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts to be published in the next few weeks on ORR’s website which will provide updated information.

The Department for Transport keeps the value for money and effectiveness of the ORR under ongoing review to ensure it delivers against its objectives efficiently and in line with public spending principles.

As set out in our consultation, the Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway, ensuring clear responsibilities and an efficient system that delivers for passengers and freight.

The Government proposes that ORR will retain its key regulatory functions, including on safety and will have a robust and independent appeals function on access decisions, ensuring capacity allocation decisions remain fair and non-discriminatory. There are no plans to abolish the ORR.
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Andrew Lewin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many schools have entrances which open directly onto a 70mph road in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) the East of England. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department does not hold this information.

Local traffic authorities are best placed to decide where lower limits will be effective on the roads for which they are responsible, as they are best place to respond with the local information they hold.

Earlier this month, 12 of England’s regional mayors signed a joint pledge to help more children walk, cycle or scoot to school safely through the delivery of a combined 3,500 miles of routes safely linking schools to homes, town and city centres, and transport hubs.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) Avanti West Coast on the quality of public toilets at Stockport station. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department meets with Avanti West Coast (AWC) regularly to discuss issues impacting passengers, such as this and to ensure they are addressed as soon as possible.  The Rail Minister will also make sure that AWC arranges a meeting with you directly to discuss improvements that can be made for passengers.

AWC is responsible for day-to-day management of Stockport Station, including facilities management and cleaning. To help monitor performance and drive high standards of customer experience, the Department requires train operators to employ the Service Quality Regime, which consists of regular inspections of the condition and availability of assets such as toilets, as well as the cleanliness of stations and trains. Responsibility for repairs to the structure of the property lies with the station’s landlord, Network Rail.  AWC works with Network Rail seeking improvements on behalf of passengers where this is required.

Responsibility for repairs to the structure of the property lies with the station’s landlord, Network Rail.  AWC works with Network Rail, seeking improvements on behalf of passengers where this is required.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth in Warrington South constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is committed to driving economic growth across all regions through a better-connected, more reliable and greener transport network.

As part of our long-term plan for transport, Warrington Borough Council has been allocated over £33 million from the £2.3 billion Local Transport Grant between 2026/27 and 2029/30. This streamlined funding will support local priorities such as easing congestion, enhancing public transport, and expanding active travel options, helping to boost economic growth, improve access to jobs and support local development.

Warrington is also in line to benefit from the Government’s £24 billion investment in road infrastructure during this period, supporting faster, safer and more resilient journeys across the country.

The Department has also provided over £600,000 to support work on the regeneration and masterplanning of Warrington Bank Quay station, which will play a key role in unlocking housing and economic opportunities. We are continuing to work with stakeholders on this and, as announced by the Chancellor in Parliament, we will set out this government’s plans for taking forward our ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the coming weeks.

Together, these investments reflect the Government’s commitment to improving local transport in Warrington South and supporting long-term economic growth.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential risks of the use of (a) illegal or (b) modified e-bikes being used by food delivery riders. \p Simon Lightwood: E-bikes must fully comply the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 in order to be legally used on the roads. This is irrespective of whether they have been modified, or whether they are being ridden by a delivery rider or anyone else.

While enforcement is a matter for the police, I have written to the Chief Executives of food delivery companies, making clear that riders should be fully aware of the relevant legal requirements and that they should only be using safe and road legal e-bikes.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of steps to help reduce fatality rates of cyclists on rural roads in West Dorset constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has not made an assessment of steps to help reduce fatality rates of cyclists on rural roads in West Dorset constituency.

Dorset Unitary Authority has been awarded £774,233 in revenue and capital funding from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund. It will be for the local authority to allocate this funding in line with local investment priorities, such as improving safety for cyclists in West Dorset.

We are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department is developing our Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the (a) total cost to the public purse for, (b) proportion of her Department’s total expenditure that was spent on and (c) spend per head on transport infrastructure in (i) Lincolnshire and (ii) the East Midlands in the last ten years. \p Simon Lightwood: HM Treasury’s Country and Regional Analysis: 2024 shows the following spend of public money on transport in the East Midlands region, for the five most recent years available. Historic data is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/country-and-regional-analysis.

(a) Total cost to the public purse:

The total identifiable expenditure on transport in the East Midlands for the five most recent years available (2019-20 to 2023-24) is as follows:

2019-20: £1,449 million

2020-21: £2,229 million

2021-22: £1,799 million

2022-23: £1,724 million

2023-24: £1,838 million

(b) Proportion of the Department’s total expenditure:

The proportion of the Department for Transport’s total expenditure on transport in the East Midlands for the same period is as follows:

2019-20: 5.3%

2020-21: 5.4%

2021-22: 4.9%

2022-23: 4.6%

2023-24: 4.6%

(c) Spend per head:

The expenditure per head on transport in the East Midlands for the same period is as follows:

2019-20: £299

2020-21: £459

2021-22: £368

2022-23: £349

2023-24: £368

While the above statistics are only available at the regional level, examples of recent Government investment in the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) area include over £180 million from the Local Transport Grant, £73.5 million in local roads maintenance funding and £18.5 million in local authority bus funding.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with South Western Rail on the role of open access rail operators in supporting (a) connectivity, (b) passenger choice and (c) service quality within the UK rail network. \p Simon Lightwood: There have been no such conversations with SWR regarding Open Access. Open Access Operators can improve connectivity and choice for passengers but can also increase costs to taxpayers and create additional performance pressures. We have been clear that Open Access must deliver value, not merely divert revenue from existing operators. Open Access applications are also subject to assessments on whether there is sufficient network capacity to accommodate them in a process overseen by the ORR, this is to ensure that new services don’t put too much pressure on the network and adversely affect passengers and freight operators.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce journey times on public transport between North Shropshire and London. \p Simon Lightwood: Department officials continue to work directly with train operators to ensure the best possible service for both passenger and taxpayer.

For passengers travelling from Shropshire and changing to join services to London, Avanti West Coast increased the number of weekday services from 270 in 2024 to 295 from May 2025. Additional services now operate between London and Liverpool, Birmingham, North Wales and Glasgow providing more connections.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-09 conversation_318

Sir Bernard Jenkin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station on the surrounding heritage buildings. \p Simon Lightwood: The initial plans brought forward by a previous developer have now been replaced by a revised scheme. This new approach seeks to address heritage concerns while preserving the benefits of commercial development. Crucially, it enables significant improvements to the station’s capacity and facilities without any cost to the taxpayer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-09 conversation_319

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the reliability of train operators on the West Coast Mainline. \p Simon Lightwood: We are starting to see train performance stabilise, following a decade of decline. We are working with the rail industry on a Performance Restoration Framework, with five clear areas of focus to recover performance to acceptable levels, including timetable resilience, staffing and keeping trains safely moving during disruptive events.

The Rail Minister is meeting with the Managing Directors of all train operators and their Network Rail counterparts, to address poor performance and demand immediate action to raise standards.

Network Rail is undertaking a programme of renewal activity on the West Coast Main Line north of Crewe to improve the performance and reliability of the railway. This section of the route was last upgraded in the 1970s and suffers from performance issues today.

We are also investing in increasing the capacity and capability of the power system at both ends of the West Coast Main Line to improve performance on the route, enable the introduction of new electric services, and support growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to help ensure decisions about open access applications prioritise services that connect stations that do not have direct services. \p Simon Lightwood: Under the current system access decisions are solely for the ORR. We’re supportive of Open Access services where they encourage growth, improve connectivity and provide more choice for passengers. When a new application is received the DfT can submit its views to the ORR via a consultation process and we highlighted the new direct services that formed part of the Wrexham Shropshire & Midlands Railway (WSMR) application when we wrote in support of this application in February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to extend the requirement for mandatory anti-lock braking systems to include all new 125cc motorcycles. \p Lilian Greenwood: The UK's technical requirements for the type approval of motorcycles currently remain aligned with the EU's as the Department seeks to reduce burdens on businesses by limiting UK-EU regulatory divergence.

Motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less must be equipped with an advanced braking system: either an anti-lock braking system or a combined braking system or both. The Department has not undertaken a study into the effectiveness of mandating anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125cc or less and there are no plans to introduce legislation on this issue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure the safety of women and girls on public transport. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is committed to ensuring everyone, including women and girls, is safe on the transport network. As part of our aim to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by half over the next decade, we have an ambitious, evidence-based programme to help tackle VAWG on transport. This includes proposals in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, such as staff training on how to recognise and respond to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The Department is also working across government and with partners, including the British Transport Police (BTP), the transport industry and local authorities, to ensure that everyone feels and is safe when travelling.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to support the (a) safety and (b) financial viability of black taxi drivers in London. \p Simon Lightwood: The taxi industry in London is the direct responsibility of Transport for London, including considering the safety and costs to drivers as part of their regulatory regime. The Department for Transport has supported the work of TfL and other licensing bodies by providing the “Taxis and private hire vehicles licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities” which is clear that licensing authorities must consider ways to protect those working in the trade as well as those that use its services.

In addition, DfT has provided funding of over £75m to support with the cost of purchasing over 10,500 zero emission capable taxis through the Plug in Taxi Grant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Minister for Rail's letter to the hon. Member for Weald of Kent on rail, dated 14 April 2025, which hon. Members were invited to meet with the Minister for Rail to discuss the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership’s priorities for local rail. \p Simon Lightwood: A number of Kent MPs have made representations to the Department over the last twelve months regarding international rail services serving Kent stations. As a result of the representations received prior to March this year, the Rail Minister agreed to meet with a delegation of MPs that had requested a meeting to discuss this issue. I am not aware that the Department has received a request from the hon. Member to discuss this topic, but the Rail Minister would be very happy to do so.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish any assessment that National Highways have made of the flooding of the A421 at Marston Moreteyne in September 2024. \p Lilian Greenwood: As the Lead Local Flood Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council are producing a Section 19 report to review the flooding that occurred on the A421 in accordance with the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

With publication of the report expected in autumn, National Highways (NH) is awaiting the outcome to make any necessary improvements.

In the meantime, given the significance of the issue affecting the A421, National highways are building a new £1.5million pumping station on higher ground to prevent this happening again.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 63159 on South Fylde Line, what discussions she has had with local (a) communities and (b) stakeholders on future service improvements on the Lytham to Preston line. \p Simon Lightwood: Through the Rail North Partnership (RNP), my Department and Transport for the North widely engage stakeholders across the region. I have asked RNP to contact the Hon. Member about his local line.

Operators must align services with demand, ensuring sustainability and value for money. I urge the Member to work with Lancashire County Council as they carry out consultation of their Local Transport Plan, and whether to prioritise schemes targeting this line for further consideration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations in (a) Preston, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable and accessible charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV). As of 1 June 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 80,552 publicly available charging devices, up 29% on this time last year.

Lancashire County Council, which includes Preston, was allocated over £10.8 million capital and resource funding through the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to leverage additional private investment and increase the number of local public chargepoints across the area. More broadly, the North West Region has been allocated almost £56.6m capital and resource funding through the LEVI Fund. In total, the £381m LEVI Fund will support the installation of at least 100,000 local chargepoints across England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-09 conversation_328

Matt Western:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it remains her Department's policy to (a) phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and (b) ensure that all new car sales are for Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035. \p Lilian Greenwood: On 7 April the Government confirmed it is committed to phasing out the sale of new cars that rely solely on a petrol or diesel engine by 2030, and phasing out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-09)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken with relevant authorities to improve the safety of train drivers in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Ensuring the continued safety of train drivers across the national rail network remains a priority for my department. Train operators are subject to strict legal duties, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), to ensure that the train drivers they employ can work in safety. My department works closely with the ORR, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and the wider rail industry to keep these measures under review and to identify areas for improvement. This has included supporting research to improve the industry’s understanding of issues such as fatigue management and access to welfare facilities and the development of improved standards and guidance to codify best practice.