Committee publication · Correspondence · 25 March 2026
Letter to the Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport relating to updating DfT estimates structure, dated 17 March 2026
From: Transport Committee
Summary
The Transport Committee writes to the Department for Transport's Permanent Secretary approving proposed changes to the structure and naming of Estimate rows, while emphasising the need for detailed breakdowns of spending on buses, HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and Euston in accompanying memoranda.
Key findings
- Committee approves proposed changes to DfT Estimate row names as promoting clarity
- Committee requests detailed breakdowns within Estimate row G (Support for buses) showing individual initiatives and policies
- Committee requests clear breakdowns for each project in Estimate row P, specifically HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and Euston
- Committee welcomes enhanced Estimates Memorandum with clearer links between Department spending and strategic objectives
- Committee hopes detailed breakdowns will appear in Main Estimates Memorandum and support scrutiny of spending plans alongside forthcoming Strategic Plan
Tone
ProceduralTopics
public-financetransport-policyrail-infrastructurebus-services
Key actors
Ruth Cadbury MP, Jo Shanmugalingam, Transport Committee, Department for Transport, Secretary of State
Notable line
“We are keen to ensure that enough detail is provided alongside these on items under each heading …”
Key Quotes
“The Committee is happy with these changes and agrees they will help to promote clarity.”
“In particular, we would be grateful if the Department would continue to provide clear breakdowns of spending on individual initiatives and policies within Estimate row G, "Support for buses", and for each of the projects included in Estimate row P (notably HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and Euston).”
“I am grateful for your efforts towards enhancing the Estimates Memorandum to ensure that there are clear links between the Department's spending and its strategic objectives.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗