theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of tool theft on (a) tradespeople and (b) small businesses. \p Dame Diana Johnson: This government recognises the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living, including small businesses.

We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.

Following engagement with the Home Office and National Vehicle Crime Working Group, Thatcham Research agreed to add to their New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA), locks and alarms on the back of vans (previously NVSA only covers the cab area of vans) and a motion sensor on the load area of the van. This is supported by crime prevention advice developed by the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives: Secured by Design - Vans & Tool Theft.

A key part of making acquisitive crime less attractive to criminals is making stolen goods harder to sell on. That is why we are working closely with policing and academic leads to examine what more can be done to tackle the disposal markets for stolen goods and reduce the ability to profit from this criminality.

The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents that involved tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed but do not cover crimes against commercial premises.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether private healthcare has been provided to asylum seekers in the last 12 months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office does not provide asylum seekers with private healthcare.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will list each individual awarded contract to strategic suppliers for the provision of asylum accommodation and support services including the value of each contract. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office holds two contracts with SERCO for the provision of Asylum Accommodation and Support Services. Details of these agreements are published on Contract Finder at:

NW

AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder

MEE

AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an Injury on Duty Award Scheme for members of the emergency services. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is done in a proportionate and effective manner.

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24505 on Asylum: housing, what the estimated spending is on accommodation for asylum seekers in 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the Answer he received on 22 January 2025 to UIN 24505.
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David Davis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of police forces using facial recognition technology to identify individuals not sought in connection to ongoing criminal investigations. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Watchlists for live facial recognition deployments are compiled by the police and are specific to the operational requirements of each deployment

The College of Policing have published national guidance which sets out the categories of people that can be included on watchlists. They include people who are wanted either by the police or by the courts, missing persons, vulnerable people and people who could be a danger to themselves or others.

In each case there must be appropriate justification and authorisation, always passing the tests of necessity, proportionality and use for a policing purpose.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of deporting foreign nationals resident in the UK that engage in activities contrary to British values. \p Dame Angela Eagle: It is already government policy to pursue deportation where a foreign national:

In this Government’s first six months in office, we removed 2,580 foreign national offenders, a 23% increase on the same period twelve months prior.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle illegal immigration into the UK via the Republic of Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The UK and Ireland have a close and collaborative working relationship on a range of issues, including migration and border security. That collaboration includes a joint commitment to protect the Common Travel Area (CTA) from abuse while preserving the rights of British and Irish citizens.

The UK operates intelligence-led operational activity on routes between Ireland and the UK and everyone entering the UK, regardless of where they enter from, is required to meet UK’s immigration requirements. Anyone identified attempting to circumvent UK border controls is liable to be detained and, if they are not lawfully present within the UK, removed.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many outstanding calculations remain for retired police officer pensions arising from the McCloud Judgement within each police force in the United Kingdom. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Calculations for the police pension scheme, including those related to the McCloud remedy, are produced for each scheme member by the relevant scheme administrator.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the police pension regulations in England & Wales, the police pension scheme is locally administered by individual police forces. The devolved governments have overarching policy and legislative responsibility in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It is for each Chief Constable, in their role as scheme manager for their force, to determine their administrative timetable.

The Home Office is actively collaborating with policing to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.
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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs's review into Synthetic cathinones published on 3 February 2025. \p Dame Diana Johnson: This Government is committed to reducing the harm caused to individuals and communities from drugs. This is vital to our missions to deliver safer streets, improve health outcomes, break down barriers to opportunities for all and contribute to economic growth.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was commissioned in May 2023 by the then Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire to provide an updated harms assessment of 3',4'-Methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (MDPHP) and other synthetic cathinones (sometimes sold as “monkey dust”) under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

On 3 February 2025, the ACMD’s report was published. Their assessment considered the harms and controls of synthetic cathinones, and it includes recommendations to reduce their harm across the UK. Although no specific assessment has been made about the sale and crime trends, the ACMD report does comment on the social harms and the association of synthetic cathinones with violent behaviour.

The Home Office will give careful consideration to the ACMD’s recommendations and will respond in due course.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people identified as illegal migrants are being housed in Northern Ireland; and what funding they have received in the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: As at 30 September 2024, there were 2,632 people in receipt of Asylum Support being housed in Northern Ireland. Further data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, and by local authority can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release: Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab).

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab).
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people arriving on small boats seeking asylum underwent scientific age checks in 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Answer I gave to the Shadow Home Secretary on 2 January 2025 to Question UIN 18967.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of charging asylum seekers for costs associated with their settlement in the UK. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Current Home Office policy in this area remains the same as that in place under the previous government.
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Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to set national standards on stalking perpetrator programmes. \p Jess Phillips: Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave victims living in fear just going about their daily lives. That is why on 3 December the Government announced six new measures to tackle it and put victims first, making sure they can be protected at the earliest opportunity.

This included a commitment to develop national standards for police-funded stalking perpetrator programmes, which seek to engage with perpetrators to address the root causes of their stalking behaviour.

In developing these, we will take into account relevant learning from the stalking perpetrator programmes funded through the Home Office's Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund alongside analysing the international evidence base and input from expert stakeholders.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of youth services on (a) preventing and (b) tackling violence against women and girls. \p Jess Phillips: The Government has set an ambitious target to halve VAWG in a decade. To achieve this, we must reduce the current levels of offending and reoffending but also prevent abuse from happening all together.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set out our strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver this ambition. We are considering a range of policy options across government to prevent these crimes including education for young people around healthy relationships and consent, community interventions and tackling online VAWG.

That includes looking at how we can work most effectively with youth services and through the Young Futures programme to deliver this ambition.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has has made of the potential impact of (a) Young Futures Hubs and (b) Young Futures Prevention Partnerships on tackling violence against women and girls. \p Jess Phillips: The Government has set an ambitious target to halve VAWG in a decade. To achieve this, we must reduce the current levels of offending and reoffending but also prevent abuse from happening altogether.

This focus on prevention also sits at the heart of the Young Futures Programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships.

Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will bring local partners together to intervene earlier to ensure that vulnerable children at-risk of being drawn into a variety of crime types (including anti-social behaviour, knife crime and violence against women and girls) are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.

Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive.

Officials from across a range of departments are working together, using evidence of what works, to start to shape how the Young Futures Hubs will work in practice.
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving multi-agency teams to improve (a) early intervention and (b) support for young people. \p Jess Phillips: Effective joint working, at both a cross-Government and local agency level, is critical to ensuring that effective early intervention and support for young people is delivered.

These values are at the heart of the Young Futures Programme, which is bringing departments together from across Government (including the Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office), to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships.

The Young Futures Programme will bring local partners together across England and Wales to intervene earlier, ensuring vulnerable children and young people are identified and offered support in a more systematic way, as well as creating opportunities for young people in their communities, through the provision of open access to mental health and careers support.

Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will look to build on the excellent multi-agency working delivered through Violence Reduction Units and the Serious Violence Duty, and using the strong networks that have been created to improve how we identify, reach, and support young people at risk of being drawn into crime.
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Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential role of youth services in (a) preventing and (b) tackling violence against women and girls. \p Jess Phillips: The Government has set an ambitious target to halve VAWG in a decade. To achieve this, we must reduce the current levels of offending and reoffending but also prevent abuse from happening all together.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy will set out our strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver this ambition. We are considering a range of policy options across Government to prevent these crimes including education for young people around healthy relationships and consent, community interventions and tackling online VAWG.

That includes looking at how we can work most effectively with youth services and through the Young Futures programme to deliver this ambition.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025, to Question 21677 on Offences against Children, what funding is being made available to support council-led local inquiries. \p Jess Phillips: In January, the Home Secretary announced to Parliament a raft of measures and an investment of £10 million that will allow us to protect more victims and survivors and drive change at a local level.

This includes appointing Baroness Louise Casey to oversee an audit to improve our understanding of the scale, nature and drivers of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse at a national and local level, and to make recommendations on what additional action is needed to improve our response.

We will provide stronger support for local areas which are interested in undertaking work to better understand local grooming gang issues and improve their own local responses going forward. £5 million has been made available to support this work.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of excluding China from the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme on UK national security. \p Dan Jarvis: The Government is currently working at pace to implement the scheme, which is expected to commence in 2025. The proposed foreign entities to be included in the scheme will be subject to formal debate and agreement by both Houses of Parliament in due course.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether railway stations on East-West Rail will be owned by the (a) public and (b) private sector. \p Simon Lightwood: The exact operating model for East West Rail will be decided in due course.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What steps she is taking to promote the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of officers within the British Transport Police. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police (BTP) are dedicated to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient force that reflects the communities it serves. Their latest headcount figures show the Force is successful at maintaining staff and officer numbers at a consistent level.

The Force has focussed on leadership development to foster a culture of empowerment, empathy and support. They have introduced a new well-being programme for the workforce, and they are investing in technology, training and facilities to equip their officers with the necessary tools for the dynamic environment they operate in every day.

BTP is also committed to creating a more representative workforce and have an outreach programme to encourage applications from candidates in underrepresented groups.

BTP is launching a pilot in London for new recruits to join BTP as part time police constables. This is a commitment from BTP’s Learning and Development Strategy to attract high calibre applicants, from a range of backgrounds, who would otherwise not be able to apply or consider becoming a police officer.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding for Crossrail 2. \p Lilian Greenwood: My department has not provided any further funding to develop the Crossrail 2 scheme since it was paused in 2020.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will outline the (a) role and (b) responsibilities of GBRX. \p Simon Lightwood: Network Rail has established GBRX to drive innovation and overcome the barriers to adoption of advanced technologies on Britain’s railway. It aims to unlock strategic innovation where this is most challenging, at the crossroads of track and train, partnering with world leading innovators and small and medium enterprises, and collaborating with organisations across the rail sector. GBRX will be an important step towards achieving Great British Rail’s ambitions.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to seek private capital investment for East-West Rail. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department works with the East West Rail Company and other Government departments to explore opportunities for the delivery of enhancements through using third party funding and financing options. The Department has been clear with East West Rail Company that securing third party funding is an essential element of delivering the scheme to ensure that the burden on the taxpayer is reduced as far as possible.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Alvechurch train station car park. \p Simon Lightwood: We understand that West Midlands Trains (WMT) has acted positively on feedback about Alvechurch train station car park. It has done so by putting in place a maintenance programme that helps preserve the right of way to Alvechurch and Bordesley Nursery School via the car park.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What steps she is taking to improve passenger safety on the railway network. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department works closely with rail industry and the British Transport Police (BTP) to ensure passenger safety on the rail network. Whilst the most recent Transport Focus survey (10th January) shows that 80% of the public rate their personal security positively when travelling by rail we are not complacent. BTP use a range of policing techniques including overt and covert patrols at hot spot locations, regular high-visibility patrols across the network and use internal and external intelligence to assist in targeting locations.

BTP also encourage passengers and rail staff to report crime and suspicious activity via 61016, online or by calling 999 in an emergency.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), who are responsible for enforcing statutory health and safety legislation on the railways, continue to work closely with duty holders to deliver improvements in overall system safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. More generally, the Government is committed to maintaining a high standard of safety across the rail network.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Network Rail on the use of the word passenger. \p Simon Lightwood: The Secretary of State regularly discusses all aspects of Network Rail’s performance with the CEO and Chair of Network Rail. She supports Network Rail in its efforts to engage with passengers in a clear manner that recognises passengers' position at the heart of the railway.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ringfencing funding for the entirety of the East West rail project. \p Simon Lightwood: £1.3bn has been provided towards the delivery of Connection Stage 1 of East-West Rail and the Budget on 30th October 2024 set out the Government’s support for the remaining stages of East West Rail, confirming funding to accelerate the delivery of works for Connection Stage 2 to provide services between Oxford-Bedford from 2030.
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the annual cost of GBRX. \p Simon Lightwood: GBRX has been allocated up to £4m annually through Network Rail’s existing budget.
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Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with train operating companies on (a) train drivers' salaries and (b) performance. \p Simon Lightwood: Ministers continue to meet with train operating companies to hold them to account. Since the start of 2025, the Secretary of State has held meetings with Avanti West Coast and Northern Trains regarding the operators' performance. The Rail Minister also held meetings with Northern Trains, Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry in January to discuss their performance in depth. Other topics, including drivers’ salaries, have been discussed at previous meetings between Ministers and train operating companies.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to support the reintroduction of Eurostar services to (a) Ebbsfleet and (b) Ashford. \p Simon Lightwood: I recognise the continued disappointment felt by communities and businesses in Kent about the continued cessation of Eurostar services. I too am keen to see the reinstatement of these services, recognising this is a commercial decision for Eurostar.

The Government is engaging with Kent stakeholders, including MPs, councillors and representative organisations to discuss this issue and is committed to continue to explore potential solutions including with potential new operators.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of recent disruption on the Dawlish rail line on the local economy of Torbay. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has invested £165 million into the South West Rail Resilience Programme to build resilience around Dawlish, which has seen much improved performance. There has, however, been some disruption on the line through Dawlish in recent months with cancellations due to poor weather, a lack of traincrew on Sundays and fleet reliability. The Department is working closely with Great Western Railway and Network Rail to improve the resilience of train services on this rail line.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the train service between Wythall and Birmingham. \p Simon Lightwood: No specific assessment has recently been made of the adequacy of train services between Wythall and Birmingham. West Midlands Trains (WMT) keeps train loadings under review and are expected to adjust train lengths where possible.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with her international counterparts to help improve (a) pay and (b) conditions for seafarers operating in UK waters. \p Mike Kane: Improving the pay and working conditions of seafarers is a priority for this government. We are committed to working with our international partners to improve standards.

We have worked closely with the French government to create a minimum wage corridor across the Channel, by bringing the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 into force alongside equivalent French legislation. Through the Employment Rights Bill, we are amending the Seafarers’ Wages Act to allow us to impose further requirements relating to safety and pay, including tours of duty, and we will be working with our international partners to agree such standards.

We are also taking steps, through the Employment Rights Bill, to ensure that post EU Exit, we have the powers to implement future amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended and the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007.

The UK has signed Memoranda of Understanding with Spain, Greece and Cyprus agreeing to coordinate on matters relating to the conditions of seafarers. We continue to engage with our international partners on matters relating to seafarer employment on international routes.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has plans to bring forward the delivery timeline for the revenue certainty mechanism. \p Mike Kane: We expect the legislation for a revenue certainty mechanism to be in place by the end of 2026. We will continue to monitor the estimated delivery date and work with industry to deliver an effective revenue certainty mechanism as soon as possible.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the resilience of maritime supply chains. \p Mike Kane: While the sector is fully privatised, my Department engages closely with industry to understand maritime operational issues that may affect wider supply chains. Assessment of those wider supply chain impacts sits with other government departments, depending on the supply chain affected.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support skills (a) development and (b) training in the maritime sector. \p Mike Kane: DfT remains committed to delivering a maritime workforce, with the skills and people it needs, both now and for the future.

The Maritime Skills Commission, which DfT is part of, assesses the sector’s current and future skills needs. DfT and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency are working with industry to future-proof seafarer training through the Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme and the Ratings Review. This will ensure UK seafarers remain highly skilled, and equipped with the training to handle new vessels, fuels and future technologies.

The £18 million DfT Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund supports 50% of the cost of cadet training. DfT is also updating the 2017 SMarT Review and Seafarer Projections report which provides the evidence base and analysis for SMarT and the UK’s need for seafarers over the next decade.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Highways England traffic officers were employed on 15 March in each year since 2016. \p Lilian Greenwood: The number of traffic officers employed by National Highways on 15 March in each year since 2016 was as follows:

Year

Traffic officer headcount on 15 March

2016

1,435

2017

1,410

2018

1,419

2019

1,546

2020

1,472

2021

1,412

2022

1,390

2023

1,488

2024

1,553
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_282

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Active Travel England funding allocation formula on (a) rural and (b) semi-rural areas; and whether she plans to review the use of per capita weighting. \p Simon Lightwood: Local authority allocations for Active Travel England (ATE) funding are calculated using a formula based on both population and capability level. This enables investment to be focused on cost effective schemes that have high potential to convert short vehicles journeys to walking and cycling. Since 2020, approximately 9% of schemes with mapping data are in predominantly rural areas. This represents 7% of dedicated investment by the Department for Transport. However, more than 50% of ATE funding has been invested in areas within the highest quintile for deprivation, which are the most likely to have poor health. There are no plans to review the formula.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_283

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the merits of (a) self-healing asphalt and (b) other methods to tackle potholes. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to enabling local highway authorities to maintain and renew their local highway networks. Decisions on which materials to use to repair their roads are matters for local highway authorities, but the Government encourages them to trial innovative processes and materials. The Department is currently supporting a £30 million “Live Labs” research programme, part of which allows innovative and environmentally friendly road-mending materials of this sort to be trialled and evaluated. The lessons learned will be shared with other local highway authorities.

A number of UK research institutions, including Swansea and Cambridge universities, are working on advanced materials, including self-healing asphalt, for filling potholes and resurfacing roads. Self-healing asphalt could potentially help prevent cracks from turning into potholes, but the technology is at an early stage and has not been tested at scale.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_284

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on how their Departments' procurement policies can support UK vehicle manufacturers to meet the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government Fleet Commitment states that 100% of the central government car and van fleet will be fully zero emission by 2027. This represents a major opportunity for UK-based manufacturers, and the Department is working with them to ensure they can take advantage.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_285

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve transport connectivity between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. \p Simon Lightwood: Whilst transport is devolved, the Department for Transport is committed to is enhancing links between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Department is providing funding for Transport Scotland’s feasibility study to explore options to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75 and is supporting the Windsor Framework to streamline transport and customs processes. The Government is also supporting key aviation routes, including the Public Service Obligation between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_286

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Heathrow Airport (a) expansion and (b) increased flight traffic on reducing emissions to meet net-zero targets. \p Mike Kane: The government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and meeting our climate change obligations, as set out in the Climate Change Act. Delivering greener transport to help make Britain a clean energy superpower is a Department for Transport priority.

DfT analysis shows that we can achieve net zero 2050 for aviation under a range of assumptions about future technology development.

We have been clear that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments, as well as meeting strict air quality and noise standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_287

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps she is taking to ensure that privately owned e-scooters comply with the law. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has previously written to micromobility retailers to remind them of their responsibility to provide their customers with accurate information about the legal restrictions on e-scooter use. The DVSA Market Surveillance Unit also carries out surveillance of e-scooter retailers to ensure they are being supplied in line with current legislation. When the MSU observes non-compliant advertising, they act to rectify this.

Until any changes are brought forward and come into effect, private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used in national rental e-scooter trial areas.

Law enforcement, including the enforcement of law on the road is an operational matter for the police, who will decide how to deploy available resources in dealing with all the issues for which the force is responsible, taking into account any specific local problems and demands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_288

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a third runway at Heathrow on the UK's carbon budget. \p Mike Kane: The government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and meeting our carbon budget obligations, as set out in the Climate Change Act. Making Britain a clean energy superpower and delivering greener transport, including aviation, is a Department for Transport priority.

We have been clear that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments, as well as meeting strict air quality and noise standards.

The government will set out detail on plans for meeting legislated carbon budgets later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_289

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a timetable for a decision on the funding of the Lower Thames Crossing. \p Lilian Greenwood: As with all capital projects, spending decisions on the Lower Thames Crossing scheme will be subject to the upcoming spending review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_290

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce crime on the London Underground Network. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police (BTP) are responsible for policing the London Underground and are committed to tackling crime on the network. As a devolved matter, the force works closely with TfL, the Mayor of London and rail industry partners to ensure passengers and rail staff feel safe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_291

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has plans to introduce legislation on the use of e-scooters. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the depth of public concern about the longstanding question of regulation for e-scooters and the need to address it. We intend to deliver an integrated transport system that reduces emissions, improves journeys, and gives people choice over how they travel, and we are carefully considering how micromobility, including e-scooters, can help to deliver these objectives.

The trials of rental e-scooters are due to run until May 2026 and will help to build our evidence base and inform options for future regulation. Findings will be published once the evaluation of the trials has finished.

No decisions have been taken on regulating private e-scooters, but the Department for Transport has committed to consulting on any future regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have the chance to shape the new regime.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_292

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent steps she has taken to help ensure that privately owned electric bikes comply with the law. \p Simon Lightwood: All e-cycles, whether privately owned or part of a rental scheme, must comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. The Department has published extensive guidance on this on gov.uk, which it recently updated. It also works with the cycle industry to ensure that retailers make clear to their customers what is, and what is not, a legal e-cycle. Where the requirements set out in the EAPC Regulations are not met in full, the e-cycle is classed as a motor vehicle and needs to be approved and registered with the DVLA, as well as being taxed and insured. Enforcement of these requirements is a matter for the police.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_293

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 32 of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's report entitled Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric: Response summary report, published in December 2024, what her planned timetable is for publishing new policy proposals. \p Lilian Greenwood: Following the publication of the summary of responses to the call for evidence, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held a very positive meeting with members of the Historic Vehicle User Group to discuss next steps. Following this meeting, members of the Historic Vehicle User Group submitted further feedback which is currently being considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_294

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department recognises the use of Malaysian driving licenses. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is currently working towards putting in place a driving licence exchange agreement with Malaysia. This is subject to public consultation and the introduction of domestic legislation.

Currently, holders of a driving licence issued in Malaysia who become resident in the UK can drive small vehicles (motorcars and motorcycles) for up to 12 months from the date they become resident in the UK. To continue driving after this period the licence holder must apply for a provisional driving licence and pass both a theory and practical driving test here. If the holder of a driving licence issued in Malaysia is only visiting the UK they can drive using their Malaysian licence for up to 12 months from the date they last entered the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-11 conversation_295

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a separate regulatory framework for Demand-Responsive Transport services, distinct from taxi and bus regulations. \p Simon Lightwood: There is recognition that the regulatory framework covering demand responsive transport (DRT) is complex, not least because it includes elements of taxi, private hire vehicle and bus legislation, including vehicles using community transport permits.

We keep all policies under review and my officials have regular engagement with a range of stakeholders across the DRT sector, ensuring that key regulatory issues are considered.