Department for Transport

The Government knows the importance of reliable bus services in enabling people to stay connected and access education, work and vital services, particularly in rural areas where buses may be the only form of public transport. We are committed to delivering better bus services and the Bus Services Act 2025 puts passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of local bus services by putting the power back in the hands of local leaders right across England.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in the Spending Review, confirming over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across the country to improve bus services for millions of passengers. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year, ending the short-term approach to bus funding and giving councils the certainty they need to plan ahead to improve services for local communities. Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authority will be allocated £60 million of this funding from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £18.5 million they have received in 2025/26.

The formula used to calculate LABG allocations for 2026/27 onwards includes consideration of the rurality of local areas for the first time, acknowledging the challenges of running services in rural areas, in addition to population size, levels of deprivation, and the extent of existing bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, this could include expanding current bus provision.

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, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) encourage 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.

The department has not made any assessment of the impact of increasing the frequency at which Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) operate or start to operate as this does not reflect how these systems are regulated in practice.

The requirements for ABS have been developed by experts at an international level under the UN’s World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29). These requirements are performance‑based; manufacturers must demonstrate compliance (i.e. wheels do not lock) across a range of relevant conditions and are therefore responsible for determining the appropriate control strategies to meet them.

The Department published a new traffic light rating system for all local highway authorities in England on 11 January which rates authorities red, amber or green based on: the condition of their roads, how much they spend to maintain their roads, and whether they do so using best practice. This system allows the Government to target support to places that need extra help and red-rated authorities will receive dedicated support to bring them in line with best practice.

Stockport received an overall amber rating, with individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice.

More information on the ratings is available online, at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-road-maintenance-ratings/local-road-maintenance-ratings-2025-to-2026.

Stockport sits within the Greater Manchester Combined County Authority (GMCA). GMCA receives baseline highways maintenance funding through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) which runs from 2022-27. In 2026/27, GMCA will also receive £15.5 million in highways incentive funding. From 2027/28, all highways maintenance funding will be consolidated into GMCA’s £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions (TCR) capital settlement, which will provide the bulk of future funding.

The Department is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and to supporting members of the Armed Forces community in accessing the transport system.

The Department has not identified specific disadvantages for members of the Armed Forces community in transport usage as a distinct group beyond those reflected in wider accessibility and transport disadvantage analysis. We recognise that individuals within the Armed Forces community may face particular challenges linked to mobility, relocation and access to local transport services.

The Department engages with the Armed Forces community and relevant stakeholders and will consider opportunities for co-production where appropriate, including in the development of transport policy tools and related interventions. Support is provided through the HM Forces Railcard, and the Veterans Railcard. Disabled military personnel may also be eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme where they meet the statutory disability criteria. Departmental guidance to local authorities recommends automatic eligibility for applicants in receipt of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.

The Ministry of Defence has engaged with Department for Transport officials on the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty to include transport and the extension of the duty to UK Government departments. As part of this engagement, the Department reviewed draft statutory guidance relating to the Covenant duty, including the application of the “due regard” obligation in transport policy and the treatment of military evidence of disability in relation to transport concession schemes. The Department’s views informed development of the final guidance.

Local authorities and regional transport bodies are expected to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising their transport functions. The Department will continue to support implementation of these duties.

The Department is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and to supporting members of the Armed Forces community in accessing the transport system.

The Department has not identified specific disadvantages for members of the Armed Forces community in transport usage as a distinct group beyond those reflected in wider accessibility and transport disadvantage analysis. We recognise that individuals within the Armed Forces community may face particular challenges linked to mobility, relocation and access to local transport services.

The Department engages with the Armed Forces community and relevant stakeholders and will consider opportunities for co-production where appropriate, including in the development of transport policy tools and related interventions. Support is provided through the HM Forces Railcard, and the Veterans Railcard. Disabled military personnel may also be eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme where they meet the statutory disability criteria. Departmental guidance to local authorities recommends automatic eligibility for applicants in receipt of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.

The Ministry of Defence has engaged with Department for Transport officials on the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty to include transport and the extension of the duty to UK Government departments. As part of this engagement, the Department reviewed draft statutory guidance relating to the Covenant duty, including the application of the “due regard” obligation in transport policy and the treatment of military evidence of disability in relation to transport concession schemes. The Department’s views informed development of the final guidance.

Local authorities and regional transport bodies are expected to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising their transport functions. The Department will continue to support implementation of these duties.

The national transport strategy, Better Connected, was published on 2 April, in which the Department committed to update the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, the legislation for traffic signs and road markings. This will include changes including new, simpler zebra crossings that will make walking and wheeling easier, safer and more accessible.

Currently, to ensure consistency of design, zebra crossings are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD). This sets out they must consist of black and white stripes, yellow globes, a give-way line and white zig-zag markings.

TSRGD applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland (The Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended) applies the same requirements for zebra crossings there.

Implementation of zebra crossings is the responsibility of local traffic authorities. It is for them to ensure designs comply with regulatory requirements. The Department provides detailed good practice advice in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual.

Traffic signing is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Government being able to bring forward amendments to TSRGD in respect of their road networks. There is a statutory requirement for the Scottish and Welsh governments to consult the Secretary of State when doing so.

The Department engages regularly with its counterparts in Scotland and Wales on traffic management matters.

The national transport strategy, Better Connected, was published on 2 April, in which the Department committed to update the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, the legislation for traffic signs and road markings. This will include changes including new, simpler zebra crossings that will make walking and wheeling easier, safer and more accessible.

Currently, to ensure consistency of design, zebra crossings are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD). This sets out they must consist of black and white stripes, yellow globes, a give-way line and white zig-zag markings.

TSRGD applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland (The Traffic Signs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997, as amended) applies the same requirements for zebra crossings there.

Implementation of zebra crossings is the responsibility of local traffic authorities. It is for them to ensure designs comply with regulatory requirements. The Department provides detailed good practice advice in Chapter 6 of the Traffic Signs Manual, available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual.

Traffic signing is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Government being able to bring forward amendments to TSRGD in respect of their road networks. There is a statutory requirement for the Scottish and Welsh governments to consult the Secretary of State when doing so.

The Department engages regularly with its counterparts in Scotland and Wales on traffic management matters.

The £171 million Depot Charging Scheme will support the uptake of zero emission vans, coaches, and HGVs by part-funding the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots up to £1 million. This builds on the Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, which has already provided more than £120 million in funding to deploy hundreds of zero emission HGVs and their associated charging and refueling sites. The Government is also working with National Highways to deliver a series of webinars to support truck stop operators to prepare for zero emission HGV charging.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90-in-180-day Schengen immigration limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

A response will be issued as soon as possible.

The supply of green methanol for use in road vehicles is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO, a certificate trading scheme, has been successful in supporting a UK market for renewable fuels since 2008. In 2024, 68 million litres of renewable methanol was reported as supplied under the RTFO scheme. This is equivalent to around 2% of renewable fuel supplied under the scheme.

The Department for Transport is working with industry and across government to support workforce health in the logistics sector. Specifically, the department has been raising awareness among the road freight sector of a driver health training module, approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which forms part of Driver Certificate of Professional Competence training. In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care is working with the road freight sector, through the Men’s Health Strategy, to increase uptake of NHS Health Checks by HGV drivers.

With industry, the Department for Transport and National Highways are investing in improvements to lorry parking facilities, including better welfare provision, additional capacity and enhanced security, which can contribute to the physical and mental wellbeing of drivers.

More widely, the government is working with employers through initiatives such as the Keep Britain Working programme to support workforce health and help people to remain in work, including within the logistics sector and encourages industry-led efforts to improve working conditions and employee wellbeing.

The cyber security of the maritime sector is a priority for my Department, DfT uses both policy and regulatory levers to support the maritime sector to effectively manage cyber risk and assist the sector to secure its networks and systems. We work closely with partners across UK government and law enforcement, the maritime industry, and others to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats to the sector.

As a Competent Authority under the Network & Information Systems regulations, DfT is committed to working with maritime operators to strengthen protection against cyber threats and improve preparedness. We will use the implementation of the Cyber Security and Resilience (NIS) Bill to further strengthen our regulatory powers, improve incident reporting, and expand the type of entities in scope.

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.

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:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/mode-shift-grants-review/outcome/mode-shift-grants-review-outcome

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.

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.

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.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

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It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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It has not proved possible to respond to my Rt Hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.