Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether she plans to lift the restriction on carrying liquids over 100ml in hand luggage on flights departing from UK airports; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require all airports to introduce CT security scanners within the next six months.

The UK already has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world, and the implementation of new cutting-edge technology enhances security and will boost the passenger experience. Restrictions on the carriage of liquids to up to 100ml need to remain in place for security reasons but the Department is moving at pace to enable larger volume of liquids to be carried when it is appropriate to do so. The department keeps aviation security regulatory requirements under constant review. All airports have been required by regulation to upgrade cabin baggage screening technology and processes to meet enhanced standards.

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) access and (b) transport links to the Falkland Islands.

The DfT is working closely with the Falkland Islands Government, aviation stakeholders and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to improve access and transport links. Flights to and from the Falkland Islands are a devolved decision for the Falkland Islands Government. The announcement on 24 September 2024 between the Foreign Secretary and the Argentine Foreign Minister Mondino on South Atlantic cooperation included an intention to resume the weekly commercial flight between Sao Paulo (Brazil) and the Falkland Islands which stopped once a month in Cordoba, Argentina. We are working with the Falkland Islands Government and the Argentine Government to put into effect the resumption of the flight. The UK has a large number of bilateral air services agreements (ASAs) that grant traffic rights for the operation of flights from countries around the world to the UK. The majority of these ASAs include the ability to fly to the UK Overseas Territories. The DfT works closely with the Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department to ensure they are aware of the traffic rights available to airlines operating to the Falklands.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising of the bus fare cap in England on working families.

The government knows how important it is to provide affordable bus travel, particularly in rural communities and towns where there is heavy reliance on buses. Under the inherited plans of the previous administration, funding for the current cap on bus fares had been due to expire at the end of 2024 – with no plan in place to ensure passengers had access to affordable, reliable bus services. That is why the Prime Minister confirmed on 28 October that the government will invest £151 million to introduce a £3 cap on single bus fares from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. This cap on fares will ensure millions of people can continue to access affordable bus tickets, including potential savings of up to 80% on some routes, while ensuring good value for the taxpayer.

What steps she is taking to improve access to artificial intelligence training.

This Government is committed to delivering an efficient and effective future transport sector. To do that we need to ensure that the sector and the public servants which support it are equipped to use, regulate, guide and assure AI systems effectively. My department is working with experts in this sector to develop internal training which will be broadly available to staff members, senior leaders and even ministers to help the whole department, its arms-length bodies and agencies improve their understanding of what AI can offer and how to go about supporting its development.

If she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of outbound flights from the six largest airports serving London that were delayed over the last three months; and whether she has had discussions with (a) London Heathrow airport, (b) London Gatwick airport, (c) City airport, (d) Luton airport, (e) London stansted airport and (f) Southend airport on steps they are taking to decrease the number of (i) delays and (ii) cancellations.

The aviation industry predominantly operates in the private sector, therefore it is the responsibility of the industry to have robust resilience plans in place to meet demand, recruit, and roster staff, and have appropriate mitigations in place. The Civil Aviation Authority publishes quarterly aviation trends, which include delay statistics for the airports in question. The most recent published data is for April – June 2024 and can be found here. The Department for Transport engages regularly with industry to understand the issues facing industry, and to ensure that plans are in place to minimise delays and disruption. For example, the Aviation Minister wrote to the industry in October 2024 regarding preparedness for the upcoming winter period.

What progress she has made on increasing the number of potholes that are repaired in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network. Havering Council is the local highway authority for the Romford constituency, and it is therefore responsible for the maintenance of its local road network. Havering Council has received £333,000 from this Department during 2024/25 to help it carry out its local highway maintenance responsibilities: it is up to the Council to decide how that funding is used. For England as a whole, the Government has a commitment to enable local highway authorities to fix up to a million more potholes a year.

What steps she is taking to modernise public transport in Essex.

The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in Essex. This will allow local areas to determine how best to design their bus services so that they have control over routes and schedules.The government has also committed to increasing accountability by providing safeguards over local networks across the country and empowering local transport authorities through reforms to bus funding. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions. The Secretary of State has also set out plans for the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation by delivering publicly owned passenger rail within the first term in government. The government will do this as contracts with existing operators expire or if the relevant contractual conditions for early termination are met. The Passenger Railway Services Bill, also announced on 17 July, will allow the government to deliver on this commitment to bring rail services back into public ownership. The government will also establish a new arm's length body, Great British Railways, which will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.

Whether she has made an assessment of the implications for her policies of the potential impact of aviation noise pollution on residents of Romford constituency.

The Romford constituency is primarily overflown by aircraft departing from London City airport and arriving into Heathrow airport. At London City airport, restrictions are set through the planning system. It is the responsibility of the local planning authority to conduct any necessary noise assessment and to enforce any restrictions. The Government sets noise-related restrictions at Heathrow and ensures its noise impacts are assessed annually. Under the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006, both airports are also obliged to produce Noise Action Plans to manage aviation noise and its effects.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring dockless e-bikes to park in dedicated bays.

As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for dockless e-bikes. Many lessons have been learned from the e-scooter trials so far, in addition to learning from the many shared mobility schemes in the UK and international schemes like those in Paris. The Government recognises that dockless shared mobility, if managed incorrectly can lead to cycles, e-cycles, and e-scooters littered across roads and pavements, having disproportionate impacts on our most vulnerable road users.

Whether she has met with her Irish counterpart.

The Secretary of State has met with her Irish counterpart.

Whether she plans to have discussions with representatives from the private sector on an Oxford to Cambridge train connection.

The Department engages with a wide range of stakeholders regarding East-West Rail and the East West Rail Company continues toexplore opportunities for the delivery of enhancements through using third party funding and financing options.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing open access services to operate train services run by London and North Eastern Railway with (a) under 60% seat utilisation and (b) limited stops.

The Department continues to work with the rail industry to ensure the design of timetable meets stakeholders needs and makes effective use of infrastructure. If an Open Access operator wishes to compete with a contracted operator, such as LNER, it is free to apply to the ORR to do so, and ORR will assess the benefits and wider impacts to passengers and to taxpayers and decide upon the application in its role as independent regulator for the rail industry.

What the percentage seat utilisation per mile is on London and North Eastern Railway services to (a) York, (b) Leeds and (c) Newcastle.

LNER services have a high rate of seat utilisation which is comparable to or better than other inter-city long distance franchised operators. However, seat utilisation varies throughout the day as LNER make effective use of track capacity by running longer trains which delivers more capacity during the peaks, which can lead to excess capacity on return legs where demand may be lower. Timetable obligations and fixed train sets means that there is sufficient capacity to meet demand, though is not possible to alter capacity in these quieter times to improve seat utilisation rates on these services.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of newly approved open access services supporting (a) British train (i) manufacturing and (ii) assembly and (b) the wider supply chain.

Privately owned and run open access operators can play a significant role in supporting UK train manufacturers, assemblers and their UK supply chains and are an important source of potential orders, both for new and cascaded rolling stock.  It remains a matter for each operator to decide when and how to source its own rolling stock.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of seat utilisation of London and North Eastern Railway services before permitting Network Rail to issue a restricted capacity notice for the East Coast Main Line.

The Department regularly monitors levels of passenger demand on LNER services which help inform timetable planning decisions on the East Coast Mainline. Network capacity is a matter for Network Rail to assess according to their criteria.

What discussions she has had with Network Rail on (a) the under-utilisation of some London North Eastern Railway services on the East Coast Main Line and (b) awarding those rail services to open access services.

The Department regularly monitors levels of passenger demand on LNER services which help inform timetable planning decisions on the East Coast Mainline. Network capacity is a matter for Network Rail to assess according to their criteria. The Secretary of State has not discussed awarding LNER services to Open Access operators with Network Rail, and has no plans to do so, but does continue to engage with Network Rail and the ORR on submitted Open Access applications in line with standard industry processes.