Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) efficiency and (c) value for money of Transport Focus; and if he will make a statement.

The Department for Transport keeps under review the effectiveness, efficiency and value for money of Transport Focus on an ongoing basis, consistent with the Framework Agreement between the Department and Transport Focus which was updated in 2017 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/passenger-focus-operational-management-statement. Our current overall assessment of Transport Focus is, as set out in the Consumer Green Paper (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/699937/modernising-consumer-markets-green-paper.pdf), that it plays an important and valued role as an independent user watchdog.

In addition to this ongoing review process, the Department is planning to carry out a tailored review of Transport Focus in 2018/19, which will aim to ensure that the body remains fit for purpose, well governed and properly accountable for its work.