Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help reduce fatalities on the railways associated with mental health episodes.

The Government believes that safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone in the rail industry and everyone has a part they can play. The Department actively works with the rail industry and wider stakeholders to prevent suicide, safeguard the vulnerable and deliver a safer transport network. Through their contracts train operators are required to develop suicide prevention plans and safeguarding strategies based on the principles of preventing and reducing the likelihood of harm to people, promoting the values of safeguarding to staff by raising awareness of safeguarding priorities and mitigating the impact of harm by reporting safeguarding concerns to statutory or other bodies, who can facilitate access to pathways that provide help and support.