Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 December 2024 · HC 346

Letter to Secretary of State for Transport relating to her appointment, dated 6 December 2024

From: Transport Committee

Inquiry: Work of the Secretary of State for Transport

Summary

The Transport Committee chair congratulates Heidi Alexander on her appointment as Secretary of State for Transport and welcomes her to the role. The letter outlines the Committee's recent evidence-gathering activities—including sessions on rail nationalisation, driving test availability, and rail infrastructure—and two new inquiries into buses and street works. The Committee proposes a formal hearing in early spring and requests ongoing policy updates.

Key findings

  • Committee held oral evidence from predecessor Secretary of State on 13 November covering rail nationalisation, integrated transport, and decarbonisation
  • Recent evidence taken from Roads Minister on driving test availability; Rail Minister evidence shortly to follow
  • Two new substantive inquiries launched: Buses connecting communities and Managing the impact of street works
  • Previous Committee inquiry into Accessible transport did not report before Dissolution; scrutiny of this issue to continue
  • Formal hearing with new Secretary of State proposed for early spring 2025

Tone

Procedural

Topics

transport-policyrail-servicesbusesinfrastructure

Key actors

Heidi Alexander MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Transport Committee, Department for Transport, Roads Minister, Rail Minister

Notable line

We found it extremely valuable to hear about her priorities for the role and her views on other topical issues such as the nationalisation of rail services, integrated transport and decarbonisation.

Key Quotes

On behalf of the Transport Committee I wanted to congratulate you on your appointment as Secretary of State for Transport and welcome you to the role.
Ruth Cadbury MP · Opening remarks welcoming the new Secretary of State
We found it extremely valuable to hear about her priorities for the role and her views on other topical issues such as the nationalisation of rail services, integrated transport and decarbonisation.
Ruth Cadbury MP · Describing previous evidence session with predecessor
We look forward to welcoming you to a formal hearing at the Committee in due course, likely in early Spring.
Ruth Cadbury MP · Proposing next steps for engagement with new Secretary of State
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗

Letter to Secretary of State for Transport relating to her appointment, dated 6 December 2024 | Beyond The Vote | Beyond The Vote