Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that rail services run effectively and to prevent derailments such as that at Denbigh Hall South Junction.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

There is a robust legislative framework governing rail safety, which places mandatory requirements on the rail industry to ensure the safe operation of rail services.  This includes a statutory duty to put in place safety management systems, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain fit for purpose and support the overall safety and performance of the rail network.  The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) supports the rail industry by investigating the causes of incidents such as derailments and by making recommendations to industry.

The rail industry is currently investing in a range of new technologies including sensors, artificial intelligence, predictive modelling and diagnostics to improve its capability to understand, detect and manage derailment risks.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to begin the investigation into the London Southend Airport plane crash on 13 July.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is responsible for investigating civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in the UK. An AAIB team arrived on scene at London Southend Airport on 13th July to begin their investigation. It is the responsibility of the AAIB to ascertain whether any safety recommendations need to be made as a result of this accident.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in sales of zero-emission cars that will result from the Electric Car Grant in each of the five years from 2025.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department estimates that tens of thousands of vehicles will be supported by the Electric Car Grant. The exact number of vehicles supported by the grant will depend on consumer uptake and the number of cars eligible for the grant.

The grant design will remain under review throughout its operation to ensure maximum value for money, and the scheme will be subject to amendment or early closure with no notice should funds become exhausted.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what environmental criteria must be met to qualify for (1) the £3,750 and (2) the £1,500 Electric Car Grant; and how these criteria will be assessed and by whom.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

To access the grant, manufacturers must hold a validated science-based target, which means they are committed to sustainable practices. These are assessed by the independent Science Based Target Initiative.

If a manufacturer holds a science-based target, whether and how much grant funding a vehicle could receive is based on the carbon emissions from the generation of energy used to assemble the vehicle and produce its battery. These criteria are assessed by the Department for Transport.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government with which automotive manufacturers they discussed the electric car grant, and on what dates.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The ZEV consultation earlier this year identified that upfront cost remains a significant barrier for many consumers.

Following grant announcement, the Government has had multiple calls with vehicle manufacturers and trade bodies to explain vehicle eligibility and how to apply for the grant.

We will continue these discussions to ensure manufacturers have all the information they need.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the price point of £37,000 or under was chosen as the entry point for the Electric Car Grant.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The price cap ensures the Electric Car Grant targets the more affordable end of the zero emission car market. We expect this grant will support a range of models, including several under £20,000 or leased at under £200 per month.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to keep Parliament informed about the progress of the UK–France returns agreement, including (1) the start date of the pilot scheme, and (2) the progress of the pilot scheme, in particular with regard to details of different approaches used and the number of migrants returned to France.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Individuals will be removed to France using our existing legislation. Our inadmissibility, certification and removal processes are well established in published guidance and enable us to declare asylum and humanitarian protection claims inadmissible, not substantively consider them in the UK and quickly remove relevant individuals to a safe third country.

An Immigration Rule change will be made to operationalise the new legal route into the UK. The full legal basis will be presented to Parliament in due course and the operational arrangements – which have been discussed with European partners – will also be set out to Parliament in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what approvals are needed from (1) the European Union, and (2) other EU members states, before the pilot small boat returns scheme with France can begin.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Individuals will be removed to France using our existing legislation. Our inadmissibility, certification and removal processes are well established in published guidance and enable us to declare asylum and humanitarian protection claims inadmissible, not substantively consider them in the UK and quickly remove relevant individuals to a safe third country.

An Immigration Rule change will be made to operationalise the new legal route into the UK. The full legal basis will be presented to Parliament in due course and the operational arrangements – which have been discussed with European partners – will also be set out to Parliament in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the legal basis for the pilot small boat crossings returns scheme with France.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Individuals will be removed to France using our existing legislation. Our inadmissibility, certification and removal processes are well established in published guidance and enable us to declare asylum and humanitarian protection claims inadmissible, not substantively consider them in the UK and quickly remove relevant individuals to a safe third country.

An Immigration Rule change will be made to operationalise the new legal route into the UK. The full legal basis will be presented to Parliament in due course and the operational arrangements – which have been discussed with European partners – will also be set out to Parliament in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to paragraph 5.80 of the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June, what estimates or forecasts have been made of (1) the rail passenger services subsidy, (2) passenger ridership, (3) passenger revenue, and (4) efficiencies and savings through public ownership, for each of the financial years until 2029–30.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Rail passenger services subsidy is expected to reduce by over 50 per cent from £2.4 billion in 2024-25.

The Spending Review settlement assumes that passenger revenue increases by an average of 6 per cent per annum over the period.

Public ownership will result in a reduction in the fees paid to private sector operators and enable efficiencies to be delivered through horizontal integration of operators. Costs are assumed to increase by less than revenue each year, resulting in the net subsidy reduction.