Written questions by Cooper.

What steps she is taking to improve passenger safety at train stations, as part of rail improvement works.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate she has made of the number of train delays affecting Mid Cheshire constituency in the last 12 months.

Awaiting answer.

What steps are being taken to reduce the number of delays that passengers face on train journeys.

Awaiting answer.

What the timetable is for lifting HS2 safeguarding directions affecting the Mid Cheshire constituency.

Following the Northern Growth Strategy announcement in January, we are carefully considering our options regarding the HS2 safeguarding direction affecting the Mid-Cheshire constituency and will set out further details in due course.

Whether she has had discussions with Manchester Airport on the level of that airport's (a) drop-off and (b) pick-up charges.

Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and the provision and charging of car parking at airports (including drop-off and pick-up charges) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify.However, DfT expects car parking at airports, such as Manchester, to be managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a financial support scheme to help young people in rural areas with the cost of learning to drive.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA continues with recruitment at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Mid Cheshire. From recent recruitment campaigns, DVSA has had four new entrant driving examiners (DE), which allow more deployments into Northwich DTC. A current recruitment campaign is ongoing and will close later this month. DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. The Department for Transport (DfT), or any of its agencies, has no mechanism for providing financial support to help young people, including those in rural areas, with the cost of learning to drive. DVSA does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

What steps her Department is taking to help improve public transport access to sports stadia for young people.

The government knows that public transport is vital to keeping communities connected, and able to access venues including sports stadia. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council have been allocated £5.4 million and £5.8 million of this funding respectively. This funding can be used in whichever way local authorities wish to improve services for passengers, including improving bus services connecting sports stadia. Rail services are supported by requirements on train operators to plan services and design timetables to meet both current and future passenger demand, while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. The government commitment to public ownership through Great British Railways will also help to deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient transport services, whilst also ensuring safety and accessibility. Under public ownership, passenger services can be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders, including by helping to improve access to sports stadia.

What steps her Department is taking to improve access to driving tests for young people in Mid Cheshire constituency, in the context of levels of (a) waiting times and (b) local availability.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA continues with recruitment at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Mid Cheshire. From recent recruitment campaigns, DVSA has had four new entrant driving examiners (DE), which allow more deployments into Northwich DTC. A current recruitment campaign is ongoing and will close later this month. DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. The Department for Transport (DfT), or any of its agencies, has no mechanism for providing financial support to help young people, including those in rural areas, with the cost of learning to drive. DVSA does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

What steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for driving tests for first-time applicants aged under 25 in Mid Cheshire constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA continues with recruitment at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Mid Cheshire. From recent recruitment campaigns, DVSA has had four new entrant driving examiners (DE), which allow more deployments into Northwich DTC. A current recruitment campaign is ongoing and will close later this month. DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. The Department for Transport (DfT), or any of its agencies, has no mechanism for providing financial support to help young people, including those in rural areas, with the cost of learning to drive. DVSA does not employ driving instructors and so has no power or control over what they charge for their services, including lessons.

What steps she is taking to help reduce the cost of car insurance for drivers aged between 17 and 25.

The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for insurers based on their underwriting experience. Age and experience are factors that insurers use to price policies and there is evidence to suggest that younger drivers and those with less experience carry a higher risk. However, the motor insurance market is competitive, and we recommend consumers shop around to get the best deal. This Government is committed to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. The cross-Government motor insurance taskforce, launched in October, is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The taskforce is supported by a separate stakeholder panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector. This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums. It will look at the increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.

What the barriers are to delivering a half hourly service on the Mid Cheshire line between Northwich and Manchester.

I am aware of the aspiration for increased services on the Mid-Cheshire Line, and we will continue to discuss how additional services might be provided, with stakeholders including Transport for Greater Manchester and local MPs. Any increase in services w...

How many residential properties in Mid Cheshire constituency have been purchased in preparation for HS2 Phase 2b; and what proportion of those properties have been void for longer than six months.

HS2 Ltd currently holds 51 residential properties on the Managed Portfolio in the Mid Cheshire constituency, of which 31 are let and 20 are vacant. 9 of these properties have been vacant for 6 months or more. The majority of vacant properties in Mid Chesh...

What plans his Department has to address differences in ticket prices between regulated and un-regulated rail lines.

Under the current system, each train operating company offers a range of fares, some of which are regulated by Government. Train operating companies have flexibility in how they set the prices of unregulated fares; however, in practice, many closely follo...

If she will take steps to ensure that feedback is provided to applicants for Access for All funding who were not awarded such funding in the announcement on 24 May 2024; and whether she plans to provide further funding under that scheme.

Given the short time since the general election, I regret I am not yet able to comment on next steps regarding specific station applications through the Access for All programme. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.