Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the regional transport infrastructure required to support the concentration of active VAT and/or PAYE based enterprises in the East Midlands.

Local transport authorities are responsible for assessing local transport needs and prioritising investment in their areas, working with neighbouring authorities and transport partners on cross-boundary connections. They are best placed to identify the infrastructure needed to support local businesses and access to employment.

The Department published updated statutory guidance on local transport plans in April 2026. Authorities should consider travel to work and the transport needs of key growth-driving sectors, reflecting local circumstances.

All local transport authorities – including those in the East Midlands – have been provided with multi-year consolidated local transport funding settlements over the current Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29 for resource funding and 2029/30 for capital funding). This funding is largely allocated by formula to provide suitable funding to all areas.