Written questions by Betts.

Whether she plans to mandate public electric car charging providers to display the price of electricity clearly at the service station.

The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 require charge point operators to clearly display the maximum price a consumer could be charged during a charging session, either on the charge point or through a separate device. The regulations stipulate that consumers do not have to enter a contract with the charge point operator to view the information.

What discussions the Government have had with Science Based Targets Initiative through the formulation of the Electric Car Grant.

A Science Based Target validated by the Science Based Target Initiative is an eligibility requirement for the Electric Car Grant. Further details are included in the grant application guidance. The Science Based Target Initiative is independent of Government and was not involved in the grant's creation to avoid potential market distortion. All grants are kept under continuous monitoring and reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to deliver value for money.

Whether the Electric Car Grant criteria will change when the review of the Science Based Target Initiative is complete; and what time opportunity will her department offer to industry regarding the implementation of the new target.

A Science Based Target validated by the Science Based Target Initiative is an eligibility requirement for the Electric Car Grant. Further details are included in the grant application guidance. The Science Based Target Initiative is independent of Government and was not involved in the grant's creation to avoid potential market distortion. All grants are kept under continuous monitoring and reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to deliver value for money.

Whether her officials have produced an impact assessment on the market of the existing Electric Car Grant criteria; and whether she will publish it.

The Electric Car Grant criteria were designed to support British drivers to access affordable, sustainably manufactured electric vehicles. Over 40,000 drivers have benefited from this scheme to date. The grant's design was not discussed with industry during its development to avoid market distortion.Following launch, the Department has engaged closely with vehicle manufacturers and will continue to do so as the grant develops. All grants are regularly reviewed to ensure value for money and eligibility criteria may evolve over time.Officials continue to monitor the grant and assess its impact as the market responds.

What assessment her Department has made of the compatibility of the government’s new ECG scheme with the principle of market competition.

The Electric Car Grant is fully compatible with the principle of market competition.

If she will consider expanding the eligibility criteria of the Electric Car Grant.

The Electric Car Grant criteria were designed to support British drivers to access affordable, sustainably manufactured electric vehicles. Over 40,000 drivers have benefited from this scheme to date. The grant's design was not discussed with industry during its development to avoid market distortion.Following launch, the Department has engaged closely with vehicle manufacturers and will continue to do so as the grant develops. All grants are regularly reviewed to ensure value for money and eligibility criteria may evolve over time.Officials continue to monitor the grant and assess its impact as the market responds.

Whether manufacturers are required to have Science Based Targets to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant.

A Science Based Target validated by the Science Based Target Initiative is an eligibility requirement for the Electric Car Grant. Further details are included in the grant application guidance. The Science Based Target Initiative is independent of Government and was not involved in the grant's creation to avoid potential market distortion. All grants are kept under continuous monitoring and reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to deliver value for money.

If she will set out how the electric car grant criteria were determined, including what discussions she had with the car sector.

The Electric Car Grant criteria were designed to support British drivers to access affordable, sustainably manufactured electric vehicles. Over 40,000 drivers have benefited from this scheme to date. The grant's design was not discussed with industry during its development to avoid market distortion.Following launch, the Department has engaged closely with vehicle manufacturers and will continue to do so as the grant develops. All grants are regularly reviewed to ensure value for money and eligibility criteria may evolve over time.Officials continue to monitor the grant and assess its impact as the market responds.

With regards new Aurora trains being introduced on the Midland Mainline, what changes to the internal layout of standard class carriages is being proposed compared to Meridian class trains in order to achieve the advertised increased numbers of seats.

The new Class 810 ‘Aurora’ trains fit more seats by using the space in standard class more efficiently than the older Class 222 ‘Meridian’ trains. The main changes are:Smarter storage: luggage stacks and overhead racks have been redesigned so they take up less floor space and keep more room for seats.New seat design and updated seating layout: the saloons are laid out to make better use of the same footprint, while providing over 19 per cent more legroom (floor space) for passengers. The trains still include accessible toilets, priority seating, two wheelchair spaces and two bike spaces, and now have power at every seat and improved Wi‑Fi.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Quesiton 76239 on East Midlands Railway: Rolling Stock, when she expects the new rolling stock to come into service.

We expect the first train to enter passenger service in 2025 and a phased roll-out continuing through 2026.

When the new Hitachi trains will be in service on Midland Mainline between Sheffield and London; and whether there will be improved (a) mobile and (b) wifi connectivity.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is reaching an exciting new phase of its train replacement programme for the East Midlands, with the launch of its brand-new Aurora trains this year. This will see the major investment start delivering significant improvements in passenger experience, including improved mobile connectivity and faster Wi-Fi.

What criteria her Department used to determine which lines would be covered by the programme to lay trackside cabling to improve mobile phone connectivity; and what assessment her Department made of potential merits of including the midland mainline in this programme.

The first lines selected were those routes that have high numbers of rail passengers and were commercially attractive for the concession partner. It is in the partner and Network Rail's interest for the concession to be cash generative as soon as possible given the agreed commercial structure where excess returns in the early years are recycled into investing in new routes. While Network Rail's partner identified the Midland Mainline to be of some commercial interest, it was not sufficiently attractive to be included in the first tranche of investment.The new fibre is part of a wider asset renewal of existing NR telecoms infrastructure that is required for rail operational use, that will also support connectivity improvements.

What steps she is taking to improve (a) rail connections to Sheffield and (b) the tram network in that city in the next five years.

Improvements being considered are:Subject to the industry approval process, in 2026, as part of the East Coast Mainline timetable, Northern will look to implement an hourly Leeds to Sheffield semi-fast service. Similarly, CrossCountry is working to add services on their Newcastle to Reading route in future timetables. Responsibility for Sheffield Supertram sits with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). SYMCA were allocated £570 million from 2022/23 to 2026/27 of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements funding for investment in local transport improvements. SYMCA have prioritised part of this funding towards Sheffield Supertram renewals. The recent Spending Review confirmed a Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlement of £1.5 billion for South Yorkshire from 2027/28 to 2031/32. SYMCA have indicated that they would allocate a significant amount of this funding to continue renewals to the tram network, providing a fleet of new, replacement vehicles, modernising tram stops, and maintenance to improve reliability. Decisions on how both CRSTS and TCR funding is spent are made locally, reflecting the principle that Mayors are best placed to understand the needs of their areas. My officials will continue to support SYMCA on any plans that they bring forward, including those involving light rail.

How many miles of tram track have opened in (a) Manchester, (b) Birmingham, (c) Nottingham and (d) Sheffield in the last ten years.

Annual figures for light rail and tram system kilometres are published on the Gov.uk website and can be found in table LRT0203 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/light-rail-and-tram-statistics-lrt This data shows the annual length of light rail, tram and underground system routes open for passenger traffic in Great Britain from 1996 onwards.

Whether she plans to introduce new regulations to clarify the legal use of (a) ebikes and (b) escooters.

The law on the use of e-cycles and e-scooters is clear. E-cycles can legally be used in the same way as a regular pedal cycle providing the user is aged 14 or over, and providing the cycle meets in full the requirements set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 (as amended). There is ample guidance on gov.uk on this matter. In short, the requirements state that the cycle must be fitted with pedals that can propel it; must have a maximum continuous rated power output of no greater than 250 Watts; and that the motor must stop providing assistance at 15.5 miles per hour. Any electric cycle that does not meet the EAPC regulations is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be approved, registered, insured, and taxed as a motor vehicle; and riders will also need an appropriate driving licence to ride one and must wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet. It is currently illegal to use private e-scooters on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used as part of the Government’s rental e-scooter trials. The Government recognises the need to address public concern about the regulation of e-scooters and is considering next steps. It will consult on any new proposed regulations before they come into force. Enforcement of the rules for e-cycles and e-scooters is a matter for the police.

Whether the impact of time delays on road users is taken into account when determining the length of motorway (a) maintenance and (b) improvement contracts.

For maintenance activities, National Highways operates long-term Maintenance & Response (M&R) contracts, typically spanning 8–15 years. These contracts handle tens of thousands of interventions across the Strategic Road Network annually. Currently, there are 10 M&R contracts, each covering approximately the same road network length as 10 years ago. However, on average, the contract durations have slightly increased compared to their previous iterations. To minimise the impact on customers, National Highways ensures that individual maintenance activities are carefully planned, with most works conducted overnight and designed to have minimal disruption.

Whether the average length of motorway (a) maintenance and (b) improvement contracts in terms of (i) duration and (ii) distance covered has changed in the last 10 years.

For maintenance activities, National Highways operates long-term Maintenance & Response (M&R) contracts, typically spanning 8–15 years. These contracts handle tens of thousands of interventions across the Strategic Road Network annually. Currently, there are 10 M&R contracts, each covering approximately the same road network length as 10 years ago. However, on average, the contract durations have slightly increased compared to their previous iterations. To minimise the impact on customers, National Highways ensures that individual maintenance activities are carefully planned, with most works conducted overnight and designed to have minimal disruption.

How many miles of the M1 motorway between Junction 34 and Junction 1 had speed restrictions as a result of roadworks as of 1 January in each year between 2015 and 2025.

Unfortunately, the information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost as the department does not hold this information.