Department for Transport
We work with our agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps the UK’s businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest in transport infrastructure to keep the UK on the move.
Secretary of State
Heidi Alexander
Secretary of State for Transport
Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Pidgeon (LD - Life peer)Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Transport)
Scottish National Party
Graham Leadbitter (SNP - Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey)Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Transport)
Green Party
Siân Berry (Green - Brighton Pavilion)Green Spokesperson (Transport)
Conservative
Richard Holden (Con - Basildon and Billericay)Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Liberal Democrat
Olly Glover (LD - Didcot and Wantage)Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Transport)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Moylan (Con - Life peer)Shadow Minister (Transport)
Jerome Mayhew (Con - Broadland and Fakenham)
Shadow Minister (Transport)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Greg Smith (Con - Mid Buckinghamshire)Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Transport)
Ministers of State
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab - Life peer)Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Simon Lightwood (LAB - Wakefield and Rothwell)Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Keir Mather (Lab - Selby)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Lilian Greenwood (Lab - Nottingham South)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Grand Committee
09:45
The Government has published a new Road Safety Strategy setting out the Government’s approach to reducing death and serious injury. …
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they favour the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in trains and heavy goods vehicles …
These Regulations detail certain procedural and administrative matters to enable the permitting regime for automated passenger services in Part 5 …
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
16:17
Department for Transport Commons Appearances
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:- Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
- Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
- Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.
Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Bills currently before Parliament
Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament
Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament
A Bill to Make provision about sustainable aviation fuel.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 5th March 2026 and was enacted into law.
A bill to make provision about local and school bus services; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th October 2025 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th November 2024 and was enacted into law.
Department for Transport - Secondary Legislation
Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
(1,891 in the last 7 days)
(598 in the last 7 days)
(383 in the last 7 days)
(263 in the last 7 days)
(254 in the last 7 days)
(598 in the last 7 days)
(1,891 in the last 7 days)
(263 in the last 7 days)
(40 in the last 7 days)
(31 in the last 7 days)
Petition Closed
Extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England
Gov Responded - 12 Feb 2025 Debated on - 5 Jan 2026closed 10 months ago
We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
Departmental Select Committee
Transport Committee
Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.
At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.
Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.
11 Members of the Transport Committee
Transport Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Transport Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Transport Committee: 12 Current Inquiries
Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
50 most recent Written Questions
(View all written questions)It has been a difficult decision to end the discretionary bus travel benefits arrangements that have been in place for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff and one that has not been taken lightly. Travel arrangements with bus operators are not typically in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
The Department has gathered feedback on barriers to the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme though has not analysed this feedback through the lens of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Department for Transport ran a Call for Evidence from 4 December 2023 to 2 February 2024. Details of the outcome of the Call for Evidence can be found here:
The Department is considering how best to support freight and logistics businesses in shifting freight between transport modes once the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme expires on 31 March 2027.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In the most recent year for which figures are available (2025/26), the total British Transport Police budget was £418.5 million. Of this, £392.4 million was funded by the rail industry through Police Service Agreements (PSAs), with a further £26.1 million provided through grants and Enhanced Police Service Agreements (EPSAs).
The proportions and values funded by the rail industry were:
A) Train Operating Companies, including Transport for London and operators in the devolved administrations: £256.2 million (61.2% of total funding).
B) Network Rail: £138.7 million (33.1% of total funding, including EPSA funding).
C) Other PSA holders and operators: £7.8 million (1.8% of total funding).
The remaining just under 4% of BTP’s total funding was provided through grants for specific programmes or projects by DfT or other government departments.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport is currently evaluating the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme to assess its performance and impact.
This evaluation builds upon the Call for Evidence and stakeholder engagement sessions that took place across December 2023 to February 2024. Through this, feedback was gathered from rail and maritime freight operators, customers of operators, ports, trade associations, and pressure groups. Details of the outcome of the Call for Evidence can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/mode-shift-grants-review/outcome/mode-shift-grants-review-outcome.
We are considering this combined evidence and feedback to ensure we most effectively support those businesses seeking to move freight by means other than by road when the MSRS scheme expires in March 2027.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to my Rt Hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To reduce missed appointments, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website.
Driving examiners will terminate a test on public safety grounds only where it is necessary to manage risk to the learner, the examiner or other road users. Through its "Ready to Pass?" campaign, DVSA encourages learners to make sure that they will be ready and able to take the test they have booked and to change or cancel their appointment in good time if they are not.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To reduce missed appointments, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website.
Driving examiners will terminate a test on public safety grounds only where it is necessary to manage risk to the learner, the examiner or other road users. Through its "Ready to Pass?" campaign, DVSA encourages learners to make sure that they will be ready and able to take the test they have booked and to change or cancel their appointment in good time if they are not.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
The Mode Shift Revenue Support 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. Infrastructure improvements cannot be funded through the scheme; as a result, the Department does not assess the adequacy of infrastructure to support increased uptake of the scheme.
The MSRS continues to support freight movement near East Tilbury station and London Gateway, with 10 freight flows supported in 2026/27 with a total grant award of £6.9m.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The department recognises the importance of proficiency in English language. That’s why its existing statutory guidance recommends that all licensing authorities should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to demonstrate written and oral English language proficiency. Licensing authorities are responsible for deciding how English language proficiency is demonstrated. As of 1 April 2024, 81% of licensing authorities in England reported that they required the taxi drivers they license to demonstrate English language proficiency and 82% of licensing authorities in England reported that they required the private hire vehicle drivers they license to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
My previous answer on 27 April 2026 set out that the average distance between places to stop in an emergency is now less than a mile (around 0.9 miles). Design standard GD301 sets out the new spacing standard (around 3/4 mile where feasible and 1 mile maximum) and defines what a place of relative safety is. The document can be found at: GD 301 - Smart motorways.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The table below provides the Mode Shift Revenue Support budget from 2020/21 to 2026/27. Future funding arrangements are subject to future departmental business planning.
Financial Year | Freight Grant Budget £ (rounded to nearest £100k) |
2020/21 | 20,000,000 |
2021/22 | 20,500,000 |
2022/23 | 20,000,000 |
2023/24 | 20,000,000 |
2024/25 | 20,100,000 |
2025/26 | 18,000,000 |
2026/27 | 20,000,000 |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the important role of hydrogen in decarbonising the economy, and expects hydrogen and its derivatives to play a role in sectors where there are limited alternative solutions with each transport mode driving progress on the solution that is most appropriate to them.
The Department is supporting the transition to low carbon fuels in surface transport through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, alongside driving hydrogen research, development and deployment through programmes such as the SAF and ZEV Mandates, ZEHID, UK SHORE, the Advanced Fuels Fund, and the CAA’s Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge. The Government will also be publishing a renewed Hydrogen Strategy in 2026 to sharpen priorities and deepen industry collaboration, alongside a forthcoming Zero Emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to tackling the poor state of our local roads. That is why we have confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance for the next four years. Newcastle-Under-Lyme sits within Staffordshire, which is eligible to receive £201,853,000 of this funding.
In addition, in January 2026, the Department released a new rating system for local highway authorities. Under this system, all local highway authorities in England received a red, amber or green rating based on the condition of their roads, how much they spend to maintain their roads, and whether they do so using best practice. These ratings are designed to promote good asset management and encourage a preventative approach to highways maintenance. Staffordshire was rated amber under this new system, with individual scorecards showing amber for road condition, green for spend, and amber for the adoption of best practice.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is aware pavement robots are being used in some towns around the country. We are committed to bringing forward legislation to ensure the safe and lawful use of micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill contains powers for local leaders to control where micromobility delivery vehicles can be used in future.
Safety will remain our top priority whilst considering regulation for new technology, and any new regulations will be subject to public consultation and impact assessment, including on safety, wheelchair users and visually impaired people, before they come into force.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is aware pavement robots are being used in some towns around the country. We are committed to bringing forward legislation to ensure the safe and lawful use of micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill contains powers for local leaders to control where micromobility delivery vehicles can be used in future.
Safety will remain our top priority whilst considering regulation for new technology, and any new regulations will be subject to public consultation and impact assessment, including on safety, wheelchair users and visually impaired people, before they come into force.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Road safety around schools is a priority for the Government, particularly the safety of children travelling to and from school.
Protection for children is not limited to the immediate school frontage; national transport policy focuses on improving safety along the whole journeys commonly made by children and young people, including routes to school. This approach includes the use of 20 mph limits where appropriate, alongside safer crossing facilities, traffic calming measures, School Streets schemes, enforcement, and school travel planning. The Government supports delivery of these measures through national funding, including £7.3 billion of capital funding for local highway maintenance between 2026–27 and 2029–30, which local authorities can use to maintain and improve their road networks, including roads in the vicinity of schools.
Active Travel England (ATE) encourages authorities to consider a range of walking and cycling schemes to deal with local needs, including active travel to school. The Department for Transport and ATE have developed and published specific guidance on how to develop an effective 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.
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department does not set mandatory criteria for the installation of zebra crossings. Local authorities are best placed to decide whether a zebra crossing is appropriate, including outside primary schools, taking into account local traffic conditions, vehicle speeds and patterns of pedestrian movement.
The Department provides national good practice guidance in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which includes advice on the assessment and design of pedestrian crossings. This is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
Chapter 6 is guidance and it is for authorities to consider how to apply it to their own roads.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department does not set mandatory criteria for the installation of zebra crossings. Local authorities are best placed to decide whether a zebra crossing is appropriate, including outside primary schools, taking into account local traffic conditions, vehicle speeds and patterns of pedestrian movement.
The Department provides national good practice guidance in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, which includes advice on the assessment and design of pedestrian crossings. This is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
Chapter 6 is guidance and it is for authorities to consider how to apply it to their own roads.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. Alongside the strategy, 5 consultations were published, and they will be open until 11 May:
- motoring offences
- introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers (category B driving licence)
- introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers
- improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and licensing (categories AM, A1, A2 and A driving licence)
- mandating vehicle safety technologies in GB type approval
The Strategy sets ambitious targets to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65%, and 70% for children under 16, by 2035. Five consultations were launched alongside the Strategy addressing vulnerable road users, vehicle safety technologies and motoring offences.
The steps we take to improve road safety will be supported and monitored by a new Road Safety Board which I will chair as the Minister for Local Transport.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and the new strategy reflects that. It considers action needed by government, local authorities, industry, emergency services and communities to tackle the causes of collisions and save lives. By investing in infrastructure, education, and enforcement, we are taking decisive steps to make our roads safer for everyone.
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Travel arrangements with bus operators are typically not in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected by the removal of this reciprocal travel benefit arrangement. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected. Staff at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus are not within scope of such consultations.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Travel arrangements with bus operators are typically not in scope for the Department’s rail Public Ownership Programme. Under the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006) process, the Department is currently consulting Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff affected by the removal of this reciprocal travel benefit arrangement. Current reciprocal travel arrangements between Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and GTR are internal travel benefits provided by Go-Ahead Group. GTR’s successor public sector organisation, Thameslink Southern Great Northern Limited, will not be part of Go-Ahead Group.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Two officials, one Grade 6 and one SEO travelled to/from Brunei at a total cost of £5,374.73 which was signed off in advance by a Senior Civil Servant, in line with departmental policy. The purpose of the trip was to conduct detailed multilateral air services negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to update air services arrangements. It was not possible to conduct these negotiations remotely.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
James McMurdock
(Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
The Department for Transport does not collect information about MSRS-supported freight movements via stations. The scheme divides Great Britain into 18 zones. Zone 1 covers East Tilbury station. The number of intermodal rail freight flows to and from Zone 1 over the past three financial years awarded at the main February bid rounds are as follows:
Financial Year | No. of Flows |
2026/27 | 10 |
2025/26 | 9 |
2024/25 | 9 |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)