Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2025 to Question 96800, on what dates each HS2 environmental assessment published since 4 July 2024 was published, and to provide a link to each document, in accordance with the Cabinet Office guidance on transparency.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

HS2 Environmental Assessments published since 4 July 2024 are available on www.gov.uk alongside their corresponding publication dates here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-environmental-sustainability-progress-report

- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sei-reports-for-new-significant-environmental-effects-on-the-hs2-phase-one-route

- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monitoring-the-environmental-effects-of-hs2-2025

- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/monitoring-the-environmental-effects-of-hs2-2024

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Basildon Borough Council on the (a) proposed 27,000 home increase in the Borough and (b) potential impact of that increase on demand for C2C and Greater Anglia services.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We expect operators to work with local stakeholders, including local councils such as Basildon Borough Council, in relation to housing developments and their potential increase on demand for rail services. Estimates of future demand are being used to inform strategic planning across the Essex Thameside area, with collaboration across operators, Network Rail and local stakeholders such as councils.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is providing funding towards new fare arrangements in Greater Manchester.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The simplified fares system that the Department worked with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver in December is revenue neutral, reducing passenger fares at no cost to the public purse.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people are owed money by HS2 Ltd.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Individual land and property claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available. HS2 Ltd is strongly committed to paying compensation as quickly as possible, although some compensation claims can be complex and take time to settle in full. Where a property has been acquired under compulsory purchase, a claimant can request an advance payment, and HS2 Ltd is required to pay all valid advance payment claims within three months.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to publish a Thameslink improvement plan in the context of its nationalisation.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

We recognise that performance on Thameslink services has not consistently met the levels that passengers expect and deserve. As part of the mobilisation process for transferring Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) services, including Thameslink services, into public ownership on 31 May 2026, the Department is undertaking thorough due diligence of Thameslink operations. This, alongside the operator’s own plans to drive improvements, will inform measures to enhance services post-transfer. Like every public operator, GTR will have to publish performance against Service Level Agreements after being brought into public ownership, and forthcoming customer improvements will also be set out.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will meet the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the potential merits of a direct train connection between Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and Manchester Airport.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

West Midland Trains is working with the industry and stakeholders on a proposal to amend its Stafford to Crewe service including a potential extension to Manchester Airport. The introduction of new services will require a business case that demonstrates value for money, as well as minimising any risk to the performance of existing services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme on standing levels and overcrowding on Brighton Main Line services used by passengers in Dorking and Horley constituency.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The previous government cancelled the Croydon Area Remodelling Scheme (CARS) at Spending Review 2021. The Secretary of State updated Parliament on 8 July on which rail and road infrastructure projects will proceed following the 2025 Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential long-term impact on economic productivity of delivering Crossrail 2, in the context of levels of economic uplift from the Elizabeth Line.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of the potential long-term impact on economic productivity of delivering Crossrail 2. The scheme was paused in 2020.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether contracts for new rolling stock for Northern are expected to be signed in 2027.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

It is anticipated that Northern’s new rolling stock contract could be signed in 2027, subject to the completion of Northern’s current live procurement.

Found: Commencement No.4 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2025Appendix 3: Memorandum from the Department for Transport

Found: parliament.uk/eacom The Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport, Department for Transport

Found: For example, how can DBT, DFE and the DfT coordinate in a way than improves matters at a local level

Found: appointing a single senior official as a cross-Whitehall ‘account manager’ to coordinate work across DBT, DfT

Found: pro-growth policies, so too does the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS, the Department for Transport

Found: For example, clean hydrogen policy spans multiple departments including DESNZ, DBT, DfT, DEFRA, and

Found: DHL would like to see this strategy led by DBT, with input from DFT and DESNZ as key enabling departments

Found: Current DfT modelling suggests SAF will cost airlines $3- $4 billion in 2030, with the majority picked

Found: In particular, the Department for Transport runs the “Continuing Survey of Road Goods Transport (CSRGT

Found: across the Ministry of Defence, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Department for Transport

Found: Cover how the Department for Business and Trade, working with DfT, Cabinet Office and the Treasury,

Found: For example, how can DBT, DFE and the DfT coordinate in a way than improves matters at a local level

Found: particularly at a time when you are making decisions about the resourcing of overseas posts and the DfT

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: That is something that the Department for Transport is looking at as part of its investment plans and

Found: As an example, there have been a number of high-profile announcements from the Department for Transport

Found: and commercial sales rules, I am providing an update having consulted the Department for Transport

Found: As an example, there have been a number of high-profile announcements from the Department for Transport

Found: and we have benefited from Department of Health and Social Care funding, DFE funding and Department for Transport

Found: agree that, in general, a car is beneficial to disabled people’s employment outcomes. 2 Department for Transport

Found: skills was already identified as a challenge in the 2019 ‘Maritime 2050’ report of the Department for Transport

Found: . ● Inclusive Mobility: Department for Transport guidance on accessible pedestrian and transport infrastructure

Found: If you look at the DfT stats for Dover, they have seen a significant decrease in the number of accompanied

Found: Some excellent work was done, with not just us but the UK Space Agency, the Department for Transport

Found: presume the 20 Environment Agency, lots of local planning authorities and I presume the Department for Transport

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Department for Transport guidance entitled Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20), published on 27 July 2020, whether he plans to revise (a) the National Planning Policy Framework and (b) guidance to require new residential and mixed-use developments to provide high-quality permeability for walking and cycling.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable, and popular places. This should involve identifying and pursuing opportunities to promote walking and cycling.

The Framework also outlines that when assessing sites that may be allocated in local development plans, or specific development applications, it should be ensured that sustainable transport modes are prioritised taking account of the vision for the site, the type of development and its location, and that safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users. Within this context, applications for development should give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas, and should create places that are safe, secure, and attractive and which minimise scope for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

We are currently consulting on changes to the Framework, including updated policies on sustainable transport which seek to further embed a vision-led approach to transport planning. The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the ambulance costs from road collisions in Surrey in the past five years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific estimation has been made. Data on the number of road traffic collisions is collected and published by the Department for Transport.

Ambulance services do not routinely report costs at the level of individual incident types. However, the most recent National Cost Collection indicates that the average cost of an ambulance ‘see, treat and convey’ response is approximately £489.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support police forces in reducing serious and fatal road traffic collisions.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The safety of all road users is a priority for this Government. While the operational enforcement of road traffic laws is a matter for individual police forces, the Home Office is committed to supporting them in reducing serious and fatal collisions.

The Government is strengthening police powers to enforce traffic law, through measures in the Crime and Policing Bill which will enable officers to seize vehicles without having to serve a notice and to tackle dangerous driving more effectively.We support police forces in targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use while driving and failure to wear seatbelts, through enforcement campaigns and educational schemes such as BikeSafe and the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme.

The Home Office is also working closely with the Department for Transport on the recently published Road Safety Strategy which sets an ambitious target to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035. This includes measures to strengthen enforcement, improve vehicle safety and enhance collision investigation capability.

Through these combined efforts, we are ensuring that police forces have the tools, powers and partnerships needed to make our roads safer and reduce the tragic toll of serious and fatal collisions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2025, to Question, 90238, on Government Communications Service: Staff, if he will publish the number of (a) headcount and (b) FTE Government Communication Service staff in each government department, central public body and Arm’s Length Body, including NHS, according to information collated in the most recent Government Communications Service audit; and what are the aggregate figures.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Please see the table below that contains the full-time equivalent figures for departments. These figures incorporate the ALBs, which are grouped under their respective sponsoring organisations.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance is issued to local authorities on recording and recovering costs incurred during environmental clean-up operations following maritime incidents; and whether such guidance allows for costs incurred by organised charity, conservation, or wildlife groups supporting those clean-up efforts to be included within claims made against responsible commercial parties.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG is not responsible for maritime or environmental clean-up operations. The Lead Government Department responsibility for these sits with the Department for Transport and the Environment Agency, which are responsible for guidance to local authorities on these issues. I would also refer the hon Lady to the Answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security gave to the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild) on 29 April 2025 UIN 46848.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department provides to local authorities responding to maritime incidents that result in environmental contamination or significant shoreline clean-up operations.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG is not responsible for maritime or environmental clean-up operations. The Lead Government Department responsibility for these sits with the Department for Transport and the Environment Agency, which are responsible for guidance to local authorities on these issues. I would also refer the hon Lady to the Answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security gave to the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild) on 29 April 2025 UIN 46848.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance exists on public communication and safety messaging by local authorities during environmental incidents affecting coastal communities.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG is not responsible for maritime or environmental clean-up operations. The Lead Government Department responsibility for these sits with the Department for Transport and the Environment Agency, which are responsible for guidance to local authorities on these issues. I would also refer the hon Lady to the Answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security gave to the Member for North West Norfolk (James Wild) on 29 April 2025 UIN 46848.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ghost plates pose on (a) national security and (b) the ability of hostile or organised criminal actors to evade detection by ANPR technology; and whether she has commissioned a cross-government review on the potential impact of the use of illegal plates on investigative leads, including those related to violent crime, terrorism, and serious organised criminal activity.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Under the new Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January by the Department for Transport, the Government has announced firm action to tackle illegal or ‘ghost’ numberplates. This includes consulting on tougher penalties, including penalty points and vehicle seizure, more robust checks on number plate suppliers, and higher industry standards for numberplates. We also intend to commission targeted research to explore the potential use of artificial intelligence to identify illegal plates.

In addition, the Government has pledged £2.7m for each of the next three years to support a roads policing innovation programme. As part of this innovation programme, the Department for Transport and Home Office are working in collaboration with National Police Chiefs' Council and others to consider new approaches to tackling the issue of illegal plate usage.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency has (a) access to the data and (b) intends to makes use of the Department for Transport’s new Connectivity Tool when undertaking (a) council tax and (b) business rate valuations in (i) England and (ii) Wales.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership of the Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Undersea Infrastructure Security Oversight Board provides a joined-up function and sets strategic direction across government on undersea infrastructure security.

The core membership includes key government stakeholders with an interest in undersea infrastructure security. This includes representation from DSIT, DESNZ, MOD, Defra, DFT, Home Office, Royal Navy and others as required. It is chaired and convened by the Cabinet Office.

Linda Snelling and the Somerset Bus Partnership

Found: £616 million since 2026-27 in active travel infrastructure, with investment led by the Department for Transport

Found: initiatives are on track.9 9 These departments were the Department for Business & Trade, the Department for Transport

Found: UK0012734 Avon Gorge Woodlands SAC Portishead Branch Line- MetroWest Phase 1 Department of Transport (DfT

Found: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 10/09/2024 62 days earlier 10/07/2025 Department for Transport

Found: As detailed in FRAB 135 (02-1) paragraphs 28-30, HMT spoke to DCMS, DfT and DfE who supported an adaptation

Found: Department for Transport: 14.1. Maritime and Coastguard Agency; 14.2.

Found: part of the UK government's strategy to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). 18 DfT

Found: DfT publication Local Transport Note (L T N) 1/24 provides more information on designing for bus services

Found: subject not only to HS2 Ltd’s internal assurance and governance checks;  but then from the Department for Transport

Found: the UK, with a research centre for connected and autonomous vehicles established by the Department for Transport

Found: run-off have on our water environment, we will also continue to work in partnership with the Department for Transport

Found: run-off have on our water environment, we will also continue to work in partnership with the Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: -26 Report Title Page Fiftieth report: Local Bus Services in England 2 Department for Transport

Found: the UK, with a research centre for connected and autonomous vehicles established by the Department for Transport

Found: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and delivers a range of functions on behalf of the Department for Transport

Found: Buckinghamshire Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: Borough Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: of Hillingdon © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: Birmingham City Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport (DfT) with managing the

Found: District Council © HS2 Ltd. gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited has been tasked by the Department for Transport

Found: Government - Clacks and Falkirk combined: Regional Collaboration bid 2.000 0.000 2.000 Transfer from DfT

Found: Traffic Counters CAFS Cleaner Air for Scotland CERC Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants DfT

Found: .• Statisticians within the Department for Transport have devised a method for adjusting the road casualty

Found: Government departments (Department for Energy and Net Zero, His Majesty’s Treasury and Department for Transport

Found: It is sponsored by the Department for Transport. 2.

Found: It is sponsored by the Department for Transport. 2.

Found: 5200667998 -1918618.8 XK50 F2EET Public & Int Trans Current Grants to Central Government bodies DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

Found: In 2024,road traffic estimates published by the Department for Transport, show that the traffic volume

Found: area in the data year, excluding vessels employed in supply, dredging, or dumping at sea (Department for Transport

Found: TransportSouth Wales Metro (Core Valley Lines)1050105020172028Funding includes EU and Department for Transport