Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police in the context of recent increases in assaults on the railway network.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are essential in keeping our railways safe and welcoming for all, including protecting those who work on the railway.

BTP’s budget is set independently of the Department for Transport, by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) following proposals from the Force and engagement with industry and railway operators. Part of their decision making includes ensuring BTP can provide our railways with efficient and effective policing. The Department for Transport has no statutory powers to intervene in these decisions.

The BTPA has recently agreed a three-year budget settlement for BTP which will see BTP’s budget increase by 6.2% for FY 2026/27, 5.6% for FY 2027/28 and 2.5% for FY 2028/29 (£418.5m in 25/26 to £481.5m in 28/29). This will enable the Force to employ over 200 new officers by the end of 2027/28.