Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sustainable aviation fuel plants she expects to be under construction in (a) 2026, (b) 2027, (c) 2028, (d) 2029 and (e) 2030.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the Rt Hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 7 November 2025, to Question UIN 86750.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sustainable aviation fuel plants are currently under construction.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the Rt Hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 7 November 2025, to Question UIN 86750.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sustainable aviation fuel plants are currently operational.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the Rt Hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 7 November 2025, to Question UIN 86750.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which organisations will be members of Transport Focus.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Railways Bill will establish a powerful voice for passengers, the Passenger Watchdog, to be grown out of Transport Focus. It will be given significantly stronger powers to become a more effective passenger champion.
In addition to this, Transport Focus will take over the sponsorship of the Rail Ombudsman from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) as well as the ORR's role in setting and monitoring minimum consumer standards which train operators must meet as part of their licence conditions.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set out any outcomes from the most recent meeting of the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Aviation Safety, held on the 26th November 2025.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The outcomes of the meeting will be published online when the minutes are finalised and agreed between the UK and EU.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects the (a) economic and (b) environmental analysis of Heathrow Airport expansion to (i) commence and (ii) be completed.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
On 22 October, the Secretary of State for Transport launched a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision-making on whether to grant development consent for a new northwest runway at Heathrow. As part of the review, the Department for Transport will develop analysis on the economic and environmental impacts of expansion at Heathrow, and the outputs will be published alongside any amends to the ANPS for consultation by summer 2026. Any promoter will then need to prepare and submit a development consent order, including their own analysis, for expansion for consideration by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State for Transport.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who will be responsible for conducting the (a) economic and (b) environmental analysis of Heathrow Airport expansion.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport has commenced the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) and will lead on conducting the economic and environmental analysis that supports that document. This will be in collaboration with other government departments and other expert bodies as appropriate.
As announced, we will also seek the independent view of the Climate Change Committee, and the Secretary of State will be writing to the Climate Change Committee shortly to set this out.
Before Heathrow expansion can proceed, a scheme promoter must also prepare and submit a full Environmental Statement as part of the Development Consent Order application.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she make it her policy to consult the Climate Change Committee on proposals to expand Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In January, the Chancellor announced the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow. In that announcement, the government committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee (CCC) as part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), on how aviation expansion can be made consistent with our net zero framework.
Over summer, the Department for Transport has been assessing proposals for a third runway at Heathrow from potential scheme promoters. The government is considering the proposals to inform the ANPS review. Further details on the assessment of scheme proposals, ANPS review and how the CCC will be engaged as part of the review will be announced shortly.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, in the context of the potential impact of airport expansion proposals approved at (a) London Gatwick, (b) London Luton, (c) London Stansted and (d) London City on the UK's climate commitments.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they are in line with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations.
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) has effect in relation to the provision of a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport. Nonetheless, the ANPS is clear that it is still a relevant and important consideration in the determination of airport related developments, particularly where it relates to London or the South East of England.
In January the Chancellor announced that the Government will review the ANPS, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. Further details on this will be announced shortly. The current ANPS remains operational until the review has been completed.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of compliance of proposals for the expansion of Heathrow airport with her Department's four tests.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government supports expansion at Heathrow Airport. In June 2025 the Secretary of State published a letter to potential promoters, inviting proposals by 31 July 2025 and outlining the essential information required in initial plans. The government has received proposals for a third runway which it is now assessing, to support the forthcoming ANPS review against the criteria set out in the Secretary of State’s letter (link). This includes a demonstration that proposals could maximise economic growth opportunities, whilst complying with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations, including in relation to air and noise pollution.