Department for Transport

The Office of Rail and Road publish annual statistics measuring the change in prices charged by train operating companies to rail passengers, normally introduced in March of each year. Table 7180 provides the average change in fares by regulated and unregulated tickets, for Great Britain, from 1995 to 2025. The data set also includes the Retail Prices Index from which real fare changes can be calculated. This can be found at the following link:

https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/finance/rail-fares/

Although London North Eastern Railway voluntarily publish the proportion of Semi flexible fares sold that track against the adjusted price for the former super off-peak fare, as that fare no longer formally exists, the passenger assurances that are being tested in place of fares regulation are instead based upon a percentage of the price of the fully flexible ticket which remains available. The assurances are:

• There is a maximum price: prices cannot rise above the fully flexible price.

• A large selection of cheap seats: at least 2/3 of all fixed tickets sold are priced at 50 per cent or less than the price of the fully flexible ticket.

• A maximum of 10 per cent of all fixed tickets can be sold at 80 per cent or more of the fully flexible price.

London North Eastern Railway has reported that only 10.1 per cent of standard advance fares were sold at over half the price of the fully flexible ticket as of July 2025.

As set out in my response of 20 November 2025 to question 89642, the deferral of work at Handsacre is not expected to have any impact on journey times for services from the North West of England to London once the delivery of HS2 is complete. The Department and HS2 Ltd are currently undertaking a full reset of the programme. As part of this reset the department will provide an update on the economic impact of the programme in a revised business case.

The Government has been clear that any expansion at Heathrow must be affordable and firmly in the interests of passengers. The costs of the scheme, should be kept to a minimum and met through private funding, including any associated surface-transport requirements.

Whilst we have set out our ambition to move at pace, decisions on construction and operational costs are ultimately a matter for the scheme promoter. Scheme promoters are responsible for any consultation in relation to their DCO application in accordance with Planning Act 2008 requirements.

The Government is committed to delivering a third runway at Heathrow in a cost-effective way. The Civil Aviation Authority have launched a consultation on their working paper of regulatory options in their role as the independent economic regulator for the aviation industry. They propose several criteria for assessing future regulatory models, including how effective these options are in keeping costs for the travelling public low.

Aviation operates predominantly in the private sector, with ticket prices determined by many factors including competition between airlines.

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector and it is for airports to invest in their infrastructure to attract passengers and airlines, while airlines deliver services by responding to demand for different routes.

The Aviation Council was established earlier this year as a strategic platform for Government and industry to work collaboratively on the long-term challenges and opportunities facing the UK aviation sector. The Council is co-chaired by myself, the Minister for Aviation, and Ken O’Toole, the CEO of Manchester Airport Group (MAG).

The Council has formed five working groups to look at priority areas, including a Regional Connectivity working group to understand the factors that have influenced UK regional aviation connectivity, so recommendations can be made that would encourage growth.

The Government continues to provide support for existing domestic air routes which are in danger of being lost through the use of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) regulations. The Department for Transport currently joint-funds three PSO air routes into London from Newquay, Dundee and Derry/Londonderry.

Air Traffic Control services in the UK operate in the private sector and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) who provide these services must ensure that they have adequate resources in place to safely operate. The pipeline for training new Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) is robust, with UK training centres currently operating at capacity. However, my department has just introduced secondary legislation giving the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) powers to recognise the previous training of third country and military ATCO’s towards meeting the requirements needed to achieve a UK civil ATCO licence. This will reduce the time it takes these individuals to become a civil ATCO in the UK and increase resilience across the sector.

Avanti West Coast is beginning to see consistent and steady performance improvements on the network. However, there is still more to do with punctuality behind the industry average and poor Network Rail infrastructure reliability continuing to be a leading cause of disruption, including on the Manchester route. In 2025, service levels to Manchester increased with two additional weekday services added to the timetable from September.

The Government produces annual figures relating to the amount of compensation that is paid out by train operating companies. The data for 2024/25 has been collected and will be published shortly. The data for 2025/26 will be collected at the end of the financial year and subsequently published.

National Highways’ select link analysis using regional traffic models, identified an average annual daily flow of 1,851 HGV movements between Immingham Port and the A180.

While the current Route Strategies (published May 2023) do not provide specific HGV forecasts for Immingham, they note that freight-related HGVs account for over 30% of traffic on key routes including the A160 and M180. Stakeholder engagement indicates HGV volumes are expected to rise, particularly with Freeport developments.

National Highways’ investment and maintenance plans, set out in the Route Strategies and underpinning the Road Investment Strategy, aim to maintain network reliability and resilience to support this growth. Traffic trends will continue to be monitored to help inform whether capacity needs are being met.

I refer the Honourable Member to the response I provided him to question 95968 on 4 December 2025.

Department for Transport officials regularly meet representatives of the road haulage industry to discuss a wide range of issues impacting the industry. These meetings include the Freight Council and the Road Freight Industry Engagement Group.

In addition, officials hold ad hoc meetings with road haulage businesses and trade associations to discuss issues raised by the sector, including those relating to the capacity of the industry.

I refer the Honourable Member to the response I provided him to question 95968 on 4 December 2025.

Stellantis have advised the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) they have dealt with the majority of vehicles. They have currently rectified circa 122,000 of an estimated 148,000 on the road overall.

Stellantis are also taking further steps to ensure greater awareness to ensure the remaining vehicles are reworked, including integration with DVSA’s MOT reminder service and also looking at strategies regarding further mailings to vehicle owners who have not yet engaged with Stellantis.

The Department does not hold this information centrally.

The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:

The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:

In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.

The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.

Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:

The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:

In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.

The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.

Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:

The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:

In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.

The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.

Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.

The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.

The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.

The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.

The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.

The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.

The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.

The purpose of the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 (the Order) is to enable prosecution of the dangerous use of watercraft. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the relevant enforcement authority. 17 potential reports have been received, and one prosecution is currently underway following an incident that occurred in Pembrokeshire in 2024.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.

The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

• Change the booking service to allow only learner car drivers to book and manage their tests
• Introduce a limit on the number of times a learner car driver can move or swap a test to twice and also limit the area they can move a test to once booked.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.

The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.

DVSA is aware that some learners will need support to book tests, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning difficulties. DVSA is working through the details to ensure no one is disadvantaged and will discuss practical solutions with the driver training industry ahead of implementation.

Tackling congestion hotspots on local roads is a matter for local highway authorities. The roads in question are the responsibility of Walsall Council, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). WMCA is in receipt of £1.05bn of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27, and this Government has allocated £2.4bn of Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding to the region for the period up until 2031/32. It is for the combined authority to determine how this funding is allocated across the city region in line with its local priorities.

The Government has also committed over £2 billion annually by 2029/30 for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes – doubling funding since coming into office. For the first time, we have confirmed funding allocations for four years, enabling local authorities to plan ahead with certainty, move away from expensive, short-term repairs, and instead invest in proactive and preventative maintenance. As a result of this, WMCA are eligible to receive an additional £9 million in 2026/27.

On the 3rd November the Government launched a consultation to develop the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS3). The consultation is seeking the views of stakeholders on national vision, statutory objectives, and underlying performance indicators.

Details will be provided when the strategy is published next year.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the responsibility for clearing highway litter lies with the relevant local authority or with National Highways (NH), depending on the type of road. In respect of local roads, litter collection is a matter for local highway authorities, and funding for this is provided as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. In respect of the strategic road network, the Government has set a performance indicator for NH in respect of litter on its roads, and NH’s compliance with this is assessed at regular meetings with the Department’s officials, as well as by the Office of Rail and Road.

National Highways undertakes regular litter collection on motorway verges, and delivers a range of interventions to deter littering on its roads. These include installing signage; providing litter bins at service areas suitable for use by drivers of different vehicle types; social media messaging; and undertaking trials of AI enforcement cameras.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Emissions projections for diesel vehicles used in carbon budgets modelling account for the difference between reported vehicle CO2 emissions, tested currently using the World Light Duty Test Procedure, and emissions from vehicles operating in ‘real-world’ driving conditions.

The Department for Transport, through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, is leading investigations into suspected non-compliant diesel vehicles under assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Where non-compliance is identified, manufacturers are required to take corrective action.

Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public. The Department for Transport has not conducted a specific assessment of the potential health and social impacts of illegal vehicle emissions on communities living in areas that already breach air-quality standards.

Local authorities are best placed to determine the most effective route to reducing nitrogen dioxide in their cities, and we continue to support them in meeting legally binding obligations to improve air quality. This includes implementing seven Clean Air Zones and other measures such as improved traffic management, cycle lanes and funding for vehicle upgrades. Evidence shows that Clean Air Zones are effective in reducing air pollution.

The government is committed to reducing emissions from diesel cars by reinstating the 2030 phase-out date for new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines, and by committing to phase out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035.

Emissions projections for diesel vehicles used in the recently published Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan account for the difference between reported vehicle CO2 emissions, tested using the World Light Duty Test Procedure, and emissions from vehicles operating in ‘real-world’ driving conditions.

The Department for Transport regularly reports its latest modelling and emissions projections to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero as required by Section 13 of the Climate Change Act 2008.

Since 2016, the Department has greatly increased oversight of emissions tests and established the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) to test vehicle emissions and investigate suspicious practice in the real world as well as in laboratory situations. MSU conducts an annual emissions-testing programme and, where non-compliance is identified, the DVSA works closely with manufacturers to ensure vehicles meet legal requirements.

Legislation introduced in 2018 made it an offence for manufacturers to place vehicles on the market containing prohibited defeat devices. The Department is currently assessing Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel vehicles to identify any non-compliance and ensure corrective action is taken promptly. Enforcement action will be taken in line with DVSA’s published enforcement policy. The Department is also considering how to strengthen ways in which it can take action in situations where modifications to vehicle emissions systems result in breaches of vehicle emissions law.

A 10-minute grace period became mandatory for all councils in England on 6 April 2015. It applies at local authority owned or operated car parks and at the end of paid-for and free on-street parking in England. The grace period only applies at the end of permitted paid-for or free parking to allow for accidental overstays beyond a driver's control. It does not apply at the start of a period of parking, nor in circumstances where the driver was not permitted to park (i.e. outside the hours of permitted operation of on-street parking).

A requirement for transparency on matters relating to civil parking enforcement is enshrined in the Secretary of State's statutory guidance for local authorities in England on civil enforcement of parking contraventions.

The integrated national transport strategy will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people wherever they live, addressing the main barriers people face in accessing good transport and empower local leaders to deliver better transport for their communities. As the strategy is being finalised, I cannot comment on specific policy or metrics but it will seek to ensure transport across England is safe, reliable and accessible so people can make the journeys they need to easily.

Beyond the strategy, the Government is committed to delivering better buses throughout England, including in rural areas, and introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Essex County Council and Thurrock Council have been allocated £17.8 million and £2 million of this funding respectively, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across these areas.

The Government is also introducing a new approach to monitoring bus service performance through a framework of bus outcomes focused on what matters most to passengers. Combined with the flexibility for local transport authorities to invest where it’s needed most locally, this framework will drive up standards and ensure a consistent level of bus service right across the country.

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations.

In May 2024, the previous government published a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Whitchurch railway station.

Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress.

The following four schemes were granted departures from standard:

- The A1(M) J37-38. The departure was granted on the 2^nd of December 2024

- The M5 J23-24. The departure was granted on the 24^th of April 2024

- The M6 J37-38. The departure was granted on the 12^th of May 2025

- The M4 J13-14. The departure was granted on the 20^th of August 2025

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Emergency call (eCall), an automatic crash notification system, is a legal requirement in mass produced new types of cars and light commercial vehicles since 31 March 2018. Whilst aftermarket approaches are available that can be utilised for other vehicle types, the Government has no current plans to extend this as a mandatory requirement for other vehicle types such as motorcycles.

We are considering plans to review the existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing that take account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. More details will be set out in due course.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Emergency call (eCall), an automatic crash notification system, is a legal requirement in mass produced new types of cars and light commercial vehicles since 31 March 2018. Whilst aftermarket approaches are available that can be utilised for other vehicle types, the Government has no current plans to extend this as a mandatory requirement for other vehicle types such as motorcycles.

We are considering plans to review the existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing that take account of both long-standing plans in the Department for Transport and the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency, and proposals received from the motorcycle sector. More details will be set out in due course.

Defeat devices are illegal, misleading for drivers and can have negative health impacts on the public.

The Department for Transport has not conducted a specific assessment of the contribution of illegally high vehicle emissions arising from the use of defeat devices to overall UK Nitrogen Oxide and greenhouse gas emissions levels.

The Department for Transport, through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, is leading investigations into suspected non-compliant diesel vehicles under assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Where non-compliance is identified, manufacturers are required to take corrective action.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regularly reviews the driving theory test questions to ensure they remain clear, relevant and effective in assessing candidates’ road safety knowledge and understanding. This includes the questions about how to drive safely to protect vulnerable road users such as horse riders, cyclists and motorcyclists.

In addition, the CGI video hazard perception part of the driving theory test includes hazards involving horse riders, cyclists and motorcyclists. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to identify developing hazards in good time.

Every theory test candidate is exposed to both questions and hazard clips on these topics.

The tables below show the average number of working days taken to process driving licence applications made both online and not online for both group 1 (cars and motorcycle) and group 2 (lorry and bus) licences.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.