Written questions by Snowden.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of rail delays on the West Coast Mainline on the economy of Fylde constituency.

Ministers have been clear that rail services have been failing passengers; we need to improve services for passengers and deliver better value for money for the taxpayer. The Rail Minister is meeting with the Managing Directors of all train operators, and their Network Rail counterparts, to address poor performance and demand immediate action to raise standards. The Department is in regular contact with local stakeholders, including Lancashire County Council and Transport for the North, on how to improve rail services to support the growth of the regional economy.

What funding her Department is providing for public transport projects in Fylde.

The government is committed to delivering the better, more reliable bus services that passengers deserve. In the Budget the government confirmed investment of over £1 billion to support and improve bus services and keep fares affordable. Lancashire County Council has been allocated over £27 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services.All future funding for buses will be considered as part of the upcoming multi-year spending review. We have also committed to reforming bus funding to give local leaders more control and flexibility to allow them to plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities.Lancashire County Council will also receive a share of the £650 million-plus funding for local transport announced in the Budget. This funding aims to support everyday journeys and improve transport connections in our towns, villages, and rural areas, as well as in our major cities.

What steps she is taking to reduce the cost of rail services in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.

What the membership is of the motor insurance taskforce announced on 16 October 2024; and what progress the taskforce has made.

The cross-government Motor Insurance Taskforce 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. The Government is committed to tackling high costs as part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards across Britain and we will provide updates on the taskforce’s work in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 15346 on Driving under Influence: Drugs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to include an option for an evidential roadside saliva sample.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increased bus fare cap on public transport use in Lancashire.

In the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed it will invest over £150 million to introduce a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025. Under the plans of the previous administration, the current £2 cap on bus fares had been due to expire on 31 December 2024, and prior to the Budget, there was no further funding available to maintain the cap beyond this point. The published interim evaluation of the £2 fare cap showed that patronage continued to recover following the COVID 19 pandemic. The final evaluation of the £2 fare cap will be published in due course. Considering all its impacts, the fare cap is not financially sustainable for taxpayers and bus operators at £2. Capping fares at £3 will keep bus travel affordable while ensuring the cap is fair to taxpayers, helping millions of people access better opportunities, travel for less and protect vital bus routes, in Lancashire and right across England.

If he will include the South Fylde Passing Loop Project in new rail infrastructure spending.

Following the closure of the Restoring Your Railway (RYR) programme, the Department is now reviewing its portfolio, including proposals for the South Fylde line. There is currently no DfT funding allocated to develop this project any further, but we encourage local authorities to lead the development of transport schemes that have a strong business case and clear benefits to their communities.