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)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Monday 27th April 2026
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 29th January 2026
Road Safety Strategy

The Government has published a new Road Safety Strategy setting out the Government’s approach to reducing death and serious injury. …

Written Answers
Wednesday 29th April 2026
Large Goods Vehicles and Trains: Fuel Cells
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they favour the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in trains and heavy goods vehicles …
Secondary Legislation
Thursday 23rd April 2026
Automated Vehicles (Permits for Automated Passenger Services) Regulations 2026
These Regulations detail certain procedural and administrative matters to enable the permitting regime for automated passenger services in Part 5 …
Bills
Wednesday 5th November 2025
Railways Bill 2024-26
A Bill to make provision about railways and railway services; and for connected purposes.
Dept. Publications
Wednesday 29th April 2026
14:35

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.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Mar. 26
Oral Questions
Nov. 05
Urgent Questions
Apr. 21
Westminster Hall
Apr. 14
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Transport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Transport does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Introduced: 14th May 2025

A Bill to Make provision about sustainable aviation fuel.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 5th March 2026 and was enacted into law.

Introduced: 17th December 2024

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.

Introduced: 18th July 2024

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

These Regulations detail certain procedural and administrative matters to enable the permitting regime for automated passenger services in Part 5 of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (c. 10) to function. An automated passenger service is a service that consists of the carrying of passengers in a road vehicle that is designed or adapted to travel autonomously or is being used for a trial with the aim of developing vehicles that are so designed or adapted. These Regulations apply in relation to bus-like services in England, Wales and Scotland and taxi- and private hire vehicle-like services in England.
These Regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1743) (“the 2012 Regulations”).
View All 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).

Trending Petitions
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Petitions with most signatures
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30,029 Signatures
(1,980 in the last 7 days)
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5,185 Signatures
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3,092 Signatures
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2,974 Signatures
(31 in the last 7 days)
Petition Debates Contributed

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.

View All Department for Transport Petitions

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
Ruth Cadbury Portrait
Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Transport Committee Member since 11th September 2024
Rebecca Smith Portrait
Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Katie Lam Portrait
Katie Lam (Conservative - Weald of Kent)
Transport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Laurence Turner Portrait
Laurence Turner (Labour - Birmingham Northfield)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Baggy Shanker Portrait
Baggy Shanker (Labour (Co-op) - Derby South)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Alex Mayer Portrait
Alex Mayer (Labour - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Olly Glover Portrait
Olly Glover (Liberal Democrat - Didcot and Wantage)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Elsie Blundell Portrait
Elsie Blundell (Labour - Heywood and Middleton North)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Scott Arthur Portrait
Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Steff Aquarone Portrait
Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Transport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Jacob Collier Portrait
Jacob Collier (Labour - Burton and Uttoxeter)
Transport Committee Member since 27th October 2025
Transport Committee: Previous Inquiries
Young and novice drivers Coronavirus: implications for transport e-scooters HS2: update NATS: failure in air traffic management systems Railway network disruption over Christmas Work of the Department for Transport 2010-15 The work of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Volkswagen Group emissions violations Operation Stack inquiry Vehicle type approval inquiry All lane running inquiry Surface transport to airports inquiry Road traffic law enforcement inquiry Road haulage sector: Skills and workforce planning inquiry Maritime Policy and Coastguard Modernisation inquiry The Department for Transport and rail policy Investing in the railway NATS inquiry Network Rail: update Strategic river crossings Motoring of the future Smaller airports Government motoring agencies - the user perspective Transport's winter resilience: Christmas 2013 Transport's winter resilience: rail flooding Security on the railway The cost of motor insurance: whiplash Airports Commission: Interim Report Draft National Policy Statement on National Networks Cycling safety: follow up High Speed Rail: follow up Offshore helicopter safety Access to ports Transport and the Olympics The work of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Local authority parking enforcement Cost of motor insurance: whiplash Aviation Strategy Competition in the local bus market Access to transport for people with disabilities Low Carbon Vehicles Marine Pilotage Land Transport Security Road Freight Road Safety Rail 2020 Rail franchising Transport's winter resilience The Work of Network Rail Local decision making on transport spending Better roads Maritime strategy Safety at level crossings Drink & drug driving law Transport and the economy Cost of motor insurance Bus services after the Spending Review Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles Effective road and traffic management Impact on transport of adverse weather conditions Sulphur emissions by ships Cable theft on the railway Work of the DVLA and DSA Draft Civil Aviation Bill Flight time limitations Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) reform Coastguard Service Regional breakdown of public transport expenditure Cancellation of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition Passenger transport in isolated communities Cancelled Rail electrification schemes inquiry Intercity East Coast rail franchise inquiry Traffic Commissioners inquiry Active travel inquiry Local roads funding and governance Pre-appointment hearing on ORR inquiry Rail timetable changes inquiry BMW vehicle recall inquiry Freight and Brexit inquiry Health of the bus market inquiry Network Rail priorities inquiry Taxi and private hire reform in England inquiry HS2: update with Allan Cook inquiry Pavement parking inquiry Road Safety inquiry Trains fit for the future? inquiry The work of Highways England inquiry Williams Rail Review inquiry Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport inquiry Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State inquiry Railways: Update with the Rail Minister inquiry Road safety: young and novice drivers inquiry Road safety: mobile phones inquiry Community Transport inquiry Airports National Policy Statement (NPS) inquiry Policy priorities for the Department for Transport inquiry Aviation and Brexit inquiry Mobility as a Service inquiry Rail infrastructure investment inquiry National Drowning Prevention Strategy one-off session Transocean Winner incident and emergency towing vessels one-off session Maritime Growth Study inquiry Airspace management and modernisation inquiry Vauxhall vehicle fires one-off session Airports National Policy Statement inquiry Volkswagen emissions follow-up session Drones inquiry HS2: CH2M contract one-off session Rail compensation one-off session Rail franchising inquiry Rail technology: signalling and traffic management inquiry Improving the rail passenger experience inquiry Airport expansion in the South East inquiry Bus Services Bill inquiry Urban congestion inquiry Departmental priorities and annual report and accounts one-off session High Speed Two one-off session Rail safety inquiry Vauxhall Zafira B fires one-off session Trains fit for the future? Self-driving vehicles Accessible transport: legal obligations National Networks National Policy Statement Strategic road investment Our future transport Minimum service levels for rail Future of transport data Strategic transport objectives Buses connecting communities Managing the impact of street works Rail investment pipelines: ending boom and bust National Policy Statement for Ports Joined-up journeys: achieving and measuring transport integration Skills for transport manufacturing Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles Railways Bill Supercharging the EV transition Road Safety Strategy Active travel Departmental policy and performance: Update with the Secretary of State Health of the bus market Local roads funding and governance Pavement parking Priorities of the new Secretary of State for Transport Railways: Update with the Rail Minister Road Safety Road safety: mobile phones Road safety: young and novice drivers Trains fit for the future? Williams Rail Review The work of Highways England

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of driving tests terminated on the grounds of public safety.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of driving test appointments wasted due to candidates failing to attend.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's Guide to the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) Scheme, published in January 2026, what assessment has she made of the adequacy of infrastructure serving East Tilbury station and the road traffic affected by its level crossing, to support increased uptake of the scheme.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department issues to local licensing authorities on minimum English language proficiency requirements for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers; and whether her Department has collected or reviewed any evidence or audits in the last five years on the ability of non‑native English‑speaking drivers to communicate effectively in English with passengers.

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.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is the current average distance between dedicated emergency refuge areas, excluding slip roads and junctions, on All Lane Running Smart Motorways.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they favour the deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in trains and heavy goods vehicles in replacement of diesel engines.

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.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to support Staffordshire County Council to maintain roads and highways in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delivery robots operating on pavements on public safety.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delivery robots on wheelchair users and visually-impaired people.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that road safety measures in the vicinity of primary schools are given a priority status within (a) national transport policy and (b) guidance to local authorities.

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.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to encourage more zebra crossings near primary schools.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that national guidance on traffic flow and speed does not inhibit local authorities from installing zebra crossings outside primary schools.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase road safety.

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.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered alternatives to the staff travel pass for Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus staff for use on the GTR network.

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.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consultation was undertaken with staff of both Govia Thameslink Railway, Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus ahead of the decision to end the reciprocal staff rail discount.

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.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what grounds was the decision taken to terminate staff rail pass, the reciprocal travel arrangement between Govia Thameslink Railway and the local bus operators Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, when the rail service is nationalised.

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.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Brunei; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's Guide to the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) Scheme, published in January 2026, how many MSRS-supported freight movements have travelled through East Tilbury station in each of the last three years.

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

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what percentage of cars rented by her department are a) electric and b) UK made and what steps she is taking to encourage departmental travel conducted in cars manufactured in the UK.

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.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Serbia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Taiwan; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to the Cayman Islands; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Vietnam; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of the flight to Mozambique; which Ministers and senior officials approved the visit; how many officials travelled on that occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of the visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Nigeria; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

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.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will commission research into the impact of noise pollution from (i) repeating passenger information announcements and (ii) the decibel levels used for passenger information announcements on the customer experience and health of railway passengers.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is currently leading a research project, 'Cost Benefit Analysis of Noise Mitigation on the Rail Network', to support the Government's Noise Action Plans and development of future rail noise policy. There are no plans at the current time to commission research specifically on the impact of noise pollution from passenger information announcements.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which English counties do not have a direct train link to London; and whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the lack of such links on those counties.

The only English county that does not have a direct train service from London is Shropshire.

The department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to meet expected passenger demand and provide value for money for the taxpayer.  Looking ahead to GBR, this offers us the opportunity to go further with optimising train services and driving up utilisation. Through GBR’s directing mind function, services and timetables will be developed in a coherent fashion that drives up network performance and improves the journey experience.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how competition regulations on state aid are applied by the Office of Rail and Road when assessing applications for Open Access rail services; and what changes are expected following the ORR's move into her Department.

Under the current framework, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is responsible for making access decisions in line with its statutory duties. Moving forward, this will change as Great British Railways takes over responsibility for managing access to the network and ORR takes on a new role to hold GBR to account and ensure fairness and transparency for all operators. ORR will not, however, become part of the Department for Transport – it will remain independent.

All public bodies, including ORR and the future GBR, are obliged to comply with subsidy control and competition legislation across all of their activities, and this will remain the case.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in the level of rail commuting from Essex into London and (b) the potential impact of rail disruption on commuter towns.

Data on journeys specific to commuting or strictly from Essex into London are not available. However, the Office of Rail and Road collects regional rail usage figures presented below in Table 1.

Table 1: Journeys between London (region) and Essex (million passenger journeys)

Time Period

Journeys (millions)

Apr 2022 to Mar 2023

33.5

Apr 2023 to Mar 2024

39.6

Apr 2024 to Mar 2025

40.6

Source: Regional rail usage | ORR Data Portal

Ahead of the establishment of GBR, integrated leadership teams are being set up across publicly owned train operators and Network Rail routes to increase collaboration and accountability, in turn delivering improvements for passengers and freight users. Jamie Burles, Integrated Managing Director, will drive this change across the Anglia region.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the UK’s potential accession to EUROFIMA; and what the next steps are in the Government’s consideration of participation.

The Department is exploring a range of financing structures to support investment in rolling stock, in partnership with private finance. The Department remains in active engagement with Eurofima, as one element of this work, to assess how its financing mechanisms could support future investment in the UK rolling stock market. The Government will update the House in due course once decisions have been taken on accession to the Eurofima Convention, to support wider rolling stock investment plans.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will work with Avanti to improve internet connectivity on board their trains on the route between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston

The DFT Operator (DFTO), on behalf of the Secretary of State, meet with Avanti West Coast (AWC) regularly to discuss services for passengers, including onboard Wi-Fi connectivity.

AWC is upgrading its onboard Wi-Fi system which is intended to improve connectivity speeds and performance. Additionally, AWC previously completed a positive trial using laser window etching technology to improve connectivity and will be undertaking further testing with the view to roll out across its Class 390 fleet. These projects will improve connectivity for passengers across all AWC services but particularly those operated by Class 390 trains, including the London to Manchester route.

More generally, services on the West Coast Main Line will benefit from the Spending Review funding to deploy low earth orbit satellite connectivity, to significantly improve the on-train Wi-Fi. The DfTO Telecoms Policy team is currently working through the procurement strategy and business case process and further details will be announced in due course. Also, Project Reach will improve the mobile signal in 57 tunnels on the three mainline routes on the East Coast Mainline, West Coast Mainline and Great Western.

Operators are required to achieve challenging customer experience targets across a range of measures, including Wi-Fi connectivity. These standards are regularly and independently inspected via the Service Quality Regime and there are accountability and financial consequences for failure.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the (1) timeline, and (2) key milestones, of the changes to passenger rail fares, including integrated contactless ticketing in city regions, as set out in Better Connected: a strategy for integrated transport, published on 2 April.

The Government is working with mayoral combined authorities and local partners to implement improvements to passenger fares and ticketing, with work accelerated in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. With initial delivery of schemes in the West Midlands by spring 2027, and Manchester later this year. We are also exploring options for further improvement with smarter ticketing to passengers in the North and East Midlands, with cutting-edge digital trials.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government which organisations will be involved in the development of the Accessible Travel Charter; and what the timetable is for the development of the charter.

The Department has committed to creating an Accessible Travel Charter. This will set out commitments for participating transport providers and authorities to sign up to, which are clear to passengers and move us closer to the Department’s ambition for a barrier-free transport system.

We remain fully committed to working with operators across all transport modes, local government, regulators, disabled people, and their representative organisations. 160 organisations have been invited to contribute to the development of the Charter to date, either through a written survey, participation in workshops to frame our approach, or meetings with officials. We are also grateful for the ongoing scrutiny provided by the Department’s Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which provides independent expert advice.

We want to continue to engage as widely as possible as we develop the Charter principles. We will continue this work by organising further targeted sessions as the work evolves, including through direct engagement with people who have lived experience, to ensure this is fully embedded.

The Charter will set out outcome-focused commitments across the emerging themes of culture shift, accessible information and transport providers working together better locally in disabled passengers’ interests. Setting out what passengers should expect across all modes of transport, these principles will provide a clear and practical framework for improving the accessibility of our transport network.

Our aim is to publish the Charter before the end of 2026.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce a freight facilities grant in England, or an interest free loan scheme, to support with the cost of new siding connections.

The Department for Transport currently has no plans to re-instate the Freight Facilities Grant in England or offer interest free loans to support the cost of new siding connections.

The Department has committed £20m in 2026/27 to the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme, which assists companies 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.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the timetable for full implementation of the Public Service Vehicle (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023.

The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 (AIR) require the provision of audible and visible route and location information on board most local bus and coach services in Great Britain. The regulations have been applied on a phased basis; local services subject to the Regulations must comply with them by October 2026, with the last tranche of partially compliant vehicles needing to comply by October 2031. We expect operators to ensure this happens on time.

The Government understands and recognises the specific challenges to comply with AIR within some parts of the sector, for example the rail replacement sector. We continue to work closely with partners to assess the sector’s readiness for full compliance and to provide support to help them achieve this. This includes the development of new technological solutions for providing information on board coaches, funding for smaller operators, alongside the existing time-limited exemption from the technical requirements of AIR, which is due to end on 31 July 2026.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the provision of public transport for foot passengers to ferry terminals, such as those at Liverpool Birkenhead and Belfast; and what consideration they have given to requiring companies providing such transport services to ensure that they operate at appropriate times and frequencies.

“Better Connected: a strategy for integrated transport” sets out this government's vision for a transport network that works well for people so they can make the journeys they need to easily. It supports the creation of unified and integrated transport systems at the national and local level, including by improving integration between modes and empowering local leaders to make decisions that are right for their areas.

In terms of connections between ferry terminals and rail services, we would expect Local Transport Authorities to identify any gaps and discuss potential solutions with the appropriate train operator.

The Government knows the importance of reliable bus services in enabling people to stay connected and access vital services, as well as for allowing people to reach other modes of travel, including ferry terminals. 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.

Transport is devolved so the provision of public transport to ferry ports in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be for the devolved administrations to consider.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
20th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the dismissal of a non-executive director of the Department for Transport Operator Limited, Chris Gibb, following reported criticism of revised plans for HS2; and what impact they expect that to have on the provision of independent expert advice on rail policy.

The Chair terminated Chris Gibb’s employment following a breach of his terms of appointment.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
14th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the mayors of Liverpool, Manchester and areas east of the Pennines have approved the route of High Speed Rail Phase 2b.

The government is taking forward the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill to deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail route into Manchester via Manchester Airport. We have not reversed the previous government’s decision to cancel HS2 Phase 2 and will adapt the bill to deliver only the section of route necessary for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The Government engaged closely with Mayors across the North of England during the development of the Northern Growth Strategy. Compact agreements with each Mayoral Combined Authority show the support for the Programme and the approach and are available online within the Rail Network Correspondence section of the Government's website.

We will continue to work in close collaboration with Mayors and partners across the North throughout the development and delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the proposal published by Chris Gibb, HS2 – Getting the job done… a new approach in May 2024, and (1) whether any such assessment compared capacity and journey times with HS2 Limited’s latest plans, (2) whether it outlined how they will consider forecasted demand in the 2040s, and (3) what assumptions they made on pricing and compulsory reservation strategy and their role in managing unconstrained demand.

Aspects of the proposal have been analysed for their technical feasibility and how they would support passengers on HS2 in the long term. The Department is working with industry on potential interventions to further improve journeys for Northwest passengers when high-speed services operate on the West Coast Mainline.

In addition, the Northern Growth Strategy announcement of January 2026 set out the Government’s intention to ultimately deliver a full North-South new line between Birmingham and Manchester. This will enable the Government to safeguard future growth for the long term by ensuring the West Coast Main Line corridor offers sufficient capacity and good connectivity.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government which countries have a reciprocal arrangement with the UK that recognises and permits a driving licence granted in one of the two countries to be used in both.

Holders of a valid European Union or European Economic Area (EU/EEA) licence can drive in this country using that licence until they reach the age of 70 or for three years, whichever is longer. After this time, they must exchange their EU/EEA licence for a GB one.

Drivers from countries with which there is an agreement for licence exchange can drive here for 12 months before exchanging their foreign licence for a GB one. Driving licence exchange agreements are currently in place with:

Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

The licensing authority seeking an exchange agreement must provide the information needed to assess whether its driver licensing and testing standards are equivalent to those in GB.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been approached by the following countries seeking a driving licence exchange agreement: Albania, Argentina, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Georgia, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Israel and Tunisia. Work on these agreements is in various stages of development.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government with which countries, if any, they (1) plan to have, or (2) are in discussions regarding, arrangements for reciprocal recognition and use of driving licences in both jurisdictions.

Holders of a valid European Union or European Economic Area (EU/EEA) licence can drive in this country using that licence until they reach the age of 70 or for three years, whichever is longer. After this time, they must exchange their EU/EEA licence for a GB one.

Drivers from countries with which there is an agreement for licence exchange can drive here for 12 months before exchanging their foreign licence for a GB one. Driving licence exchange agreements are currently in place with:

Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

The licensing authority seeking an exchange agreement must provide the information needed to assess whether its driver licensing and testing standards are equivalent to those in GB.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been approached by the following countries seeking a driving licence exchange agreement: Albania, Argentina, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Georgia, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Israel and Tunisia. Work on these agreements is in various stages of development.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
16th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government why there is not reciprocal recognition of driving licences issued in Israel in the UK; and what steps they are taking, if any, to introduce reciprocal recognition of those licences.

Holders of a valid European Union or European Economic Area (EU/EEA) licence can drive in this country using that licence until they reach the age of 70 or for three years, whichever is longer. After this time, they must exchange their EU/EEA licence for a GB one.

Drivers from countries with which there is an agreement for licence exchange can drive here for 12 months before exchanging their foreign licence for a GB one. Driving licence exchange agreements are currently in place with:

Andorra, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe.

The licensing authority seeking an exchange agreement must provide the information needed to assess whether its driver licensing and testing standards are equivalent to those in GB.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been approached by the following countries seeking a driving licence exchange agreement: Albania, Argentina, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Georgia, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Israel and Tunisia. Work on these agreements is in various stages of development.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, of the £21 billion of new local transport funding announced across the Comprehensive Spending Review period, how much funding is allocated to (a) Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities, (b) Mayoral Strategic Authorities, and (c) local councils not within a combined authority.

Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will receive c£7.7bn of transport funding through their integrated settlement over the Spending Review period from 2026/27 to 2029/30 (to 2028/29 for Resource Funding).

Mayoral Strategic Authorities with a mayor in place will receive c£4bn of transport funding through the Mayoral Transport Fund over the same period.

All other local transport authorities will receive c£9.6bn of local transport funding over the Spending Review period, via the Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund. This includes c£1.2bn for Foundation Strategic Authorities (combined authorities without an elected mayor) and c£2.9bn for local authorities that are part of the Devolution Priority Programme and are due to be established as Mayoral Transport Authorities.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her department encourages officials to rent electric vehicles when hiring vehicles for official business.

The Government’s policy is that all official travel must be efficient and cost-effective. The Department does encourage the use of electric vehicles for vehicle hire. However, short-term vehicle hires can happen at short notice and are subject to vehicle availability at the time and the policies of the hire company.

Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is her department taking to ensure National Highways includes the views of local residents in stakeholder consultations when deciding to remove lights over motorways.

The Department expects National Highways to carry out appropriate consultation where changes to the strategic road network may impact local communities. Where a proposal to remove lighting would directly affect a local community, National Highways would seek residents’ views through stakeholder consultation.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is considering mandating the calibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems when vehicle’s windscreens are replaced.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, the Government is committed to taking advantage of vehicle technologies to make our roads safer. The Strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, acknowledging that vehicle technologies can significantly reduce risk when they function as intended, and that responsibility for safety is shared across government, manufacturers, repairers and the wider transport sector.

My Department is currently exploring options for future policy decisions to maximise the benefits of vehicle technologies. This includes engagement on a wide range of issues related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including vehicle maintenance. My Department is also consulting on mandating a range of ADAS in new vehicles, alongside a call for evidence seeking views on the ongoing maintenance of these systems.

Given the importance of properly maintained vehicles for road safety, the Government keeps the MOT under continual review to ensure it remains effective as vehicle technology evolves. This includes considering how increasingly sophisticated systems, such as ADAS, can be appropriately monitored as part of wider vehicle safety assurance. Officials continue to gather and assess evidence to inform any future changes.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is considering mandating an assessment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as part of the MOT test.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, the Government is committed to taking advantage of vehicle technologies to make our roads safer. The Strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, acknowledging that vehicle technologies can significantly reduce risk when they function as intended, and that responsibility for safety is shared across government, manufacturers, repairers and the wider transport sector.

My Department is currently exploring options for future policy decisions to maximise the benefits of vehicle technologies. This includes engagement on a wide range of issues related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including vehicle maintenance. My Department is also consulting on mandating a range of ADAS in new vehicles, alongside a call for evidence seeking views on the ongoing maintenance of these systems.

Given the importance of properly maintained vehicles for road safety, the Government keeps the MOT under continual review to ensure it remains effective as vehicle technology evolves. This includes considering how increasingly sophisticated systems, such as ADAS, can be appropriately monitored as part of wider vehicle safety assurance. Officials continue to gather and assess evidence to inform any future changes.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish guidance on maximising the potential safety impact of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems technologies through calibration.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, the Government is committed to taking advantage of vehicle technologies to make our roads safer. The Strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, acknowledging that vehicle technologies can significantly reduce risk when they function as intended, and that responsibility for safety is shared across government, manufacturers, repairers and the wider transport sector.

My Department is currently exploring options for future policy decisions to maximise the benefits of vehicle technologies. This includes engagement on a wide range of issues related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including vehicle maintenance. My Department is also consulting on mandating a range of ADAS in new vehicles, alongside a call for evidence seeking views on the ongoing maintenance of these systems.

Given the importance of properly maintained vehicles for road safety, the Government keeps the MOT under continual review to ensure it remains effective as vehicle technology evolves. This includes considering how increasingly sophisticated systems, such as ADAS, can be appropriately monitored as part of wider vehicle safety assurance. Officials continue to gather and assess evidence to inform any future changes.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has assessed the potential impact of (a) defective and (b) poorly maintained Advanced Driver Assistance Systems on road (i) fatalities and (ii) serious injuries over the last decade.

As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, the Government is committed to taking advantage of vehicle technologies to make our roads safer. The Strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, acknowledging that vehicle technologies can significantly reduce risk when they function as intended, and that responsibility for safety is shared across government, manufacturers, repairers and the wider transport sector.

My Department is currently exploring options for future policy decisions to maximise the benefits of vehicle technologies. This includes engagement on a wide range of issues related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including vehicle maintenance. My Department is also consulting on mandating a range of ADAS in new vehicles, alongside a call for evidence seeking views on the ongoing maintenance of these systems.

Given the importance of properly maintained vehicles for road safety, the Government keeps the MOT under continual review to ensure it remains effective as vehicle technology evolves. This includes considering how increasingly sophisticated systems, such as ADAS, can be appropriately monitored as part of wider vehicle safety assurance. Officials continue to gather and assess evidence to inform any future changes.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury