Every parliamentary written question tabled by Grahame Morris this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 82 · Department for Transport
When Network Rail plans to announce the preferred bidder for Project Reach.
Subject to the Project Reach business case going through DfT approval, Network Rail plans to announce the parties involved in any contract signature. Neos Networks has, however, separately made an announcement on their website stating they are in exclusive talks with Network Rail.
What estimate she has made of Network Rail’s increased in national insurance contributions.
Before the National Insurance increase announcement in the budget, Network Rail’s estimated National Insurance payment was £1.26bn for the remaining four years of Control Period 7 (2025/26 – 2028/29). Following the budget, it’s now anticipated to increase by £213m over this timeframe.
How many officials in her Department are employed to oversee the work of (a) Shadow GBR (b) HS2 Ltd and (c) train operating companies.
Shadow GBR consists of the three leaders of Network Rail, DfT Operator Limited (DfTO), and the Department for Transport’s Rail Services Group working together with the Chair, Laura Shoaf CBE. At present seven officials in the Department are employed to mobilise these arrangements (with some working on SGBR alongside other priorities). As at January 2025, there are approximately 175 officials in DfT's Major Rail Projects Group, which has responsibility for developing and sponsoring the delivery of HS2, the Euston programme, Northern Powerhouse Rail and future network planning. Within the Department’s markets teams there are 113 officials overseeing the rail franchise contracts.
What estimate she has made of the amount spent by her Department on rail enhancements in each year of control period (a) five, (b) six and (c) seven.
Rail enhancements in England and Wales have been delivered through the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline since Control Period six (CP6), prior to that they were delivered directly through Network Rail. The following has been spent on enhancements in each financial year in Control Periods five (CP5) and CP6. Figures for Control Period seven are not yet available as no years have yet concluded. All figures are presented in £millions nominal and exclude third party contributions.CP5 year 1 – 2014/15: £2,597CP5 year 2 – 2015/16: £2,950CP5 year 3 – 2016/17: £3,123CP5 year 4 – 2017/18: £2,951CP5 year 5 – 2018/19: £2,680CP6 year 1 – 2019/20: £1,620CP6 year 2 – 2020/21: £1,459CP6 year 3 – 2021/22: £1,626CP6 year 4 – 2022/23: £1,832CP6 year 5 – 2023/24: £2,112
If she will make an assessment of the value for money of Network Rail’s signalling framework contracts.
Network Rail is responsible for the frameworks governing train signalling systems. In April 2024, Network Rail announced a £4bn, 10-year signalling framework - the Train Control Systems Framework (TCSF). The framework runs from 2024 until 2034 of which £3bn will be spent on digital signalling (ETCS) and £1bn on conventional signalling. The framework is one of the remedies published by Network Rail in response to the market study conducted by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to provide value for money through cost, quality and innovation. ORR holds Network Rail to account for the delivery of its operations, support, maintenance, and renewals programmes. As the Digital Signalling Portfolio is included in the ORR’s final determination of Network Rail’s renewals funding, ORR will carry out monitoring of this portfolio of works during Control Period 7 (CP7). More details about the frameworks can be found on the Network Rail website. Network Rail’s £4bn train control systems framework to revolutionise signalling across Britain.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) debt levels and (b) regulated asset base gearing by UK airports.
The UK aviation sector operates predominantly within the private market, and decisions regarding asset financing are at the discretion of individual airports and their owners. Heathrow Airport is unique amongst UK airports in maintaining an active Regulatory Asset Base as part of its economic regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Since this regulation is independent from Government, the Department does not conduct routine analysis of debt and gearing levels in relation to Heathrow.
What recent discussions she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on enforcement of the Seafarers Wages Act 2023.
Officials from the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have regular meetings to discuss enforcement of the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023. Department for Transport officials held a training session for Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspectors on the requirements of the legislation in November 2024.
What the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s annual budget was in each year between 2018-19 and 2024-25.
The MCA’s annual budget each year from 2018/19 – 2024/25 as follows: SourceResource Budget £Capital Budget £Total Budget £2024-2025Parliamentary Main Supply Estimate443,73521,842465,5772023-2024Parliamentary Supply Estimate416,59439,479456,0732022-2023Parliamentary Supply Estimate416,16838,401454,5692021-2022Parliamentary Supply Estimate389,89161,184451,0752020-2021Parliamentary Supply Estimate376,69343,171419,8642019-2020Parliamentary Supply Estimate365,27316,327381,6002018-2019Parliamentary Supply Estimate349,05511,866360,921
When she expects the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to publish its report into the loss of a crew member on the Liberian flagged drill rig jack up vessel Valaris 121 on 22 January 2023.
The Liberian registered Valaris 121, a mobile drilling rig, was under tow outside United Kingdom territorial waters when the accident took place. In line with the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code (the Code), as the flag State of the vessel, the Liberian Registry’s Marine Investigations Department has commenced an investigation. As this accident involved a UK national, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has declared itself a substantially interested state under the Code and has provided assistance to the Liberian investigation where required. Once their investigation is complete the Liberian authorities will publish a report into the accident.
Pursuant to Answer of 11 November 2024 to Question12278 on Rolling Stock, whether a rolling stock strategy will be published before the establishment of Great British Railways.
The Department for Transport is developing a Rolling Stock Strategy. This will align with the wider objectives of the industry in ending the current variability in production rates and ensuring a stable pipeline of work for the rolling stock supply chain. Once established, Great British Railways will take the strategy forward providing a long-term approach to future rolling stock needs and helping to secure better value from the private rolling stock market.
When she plans to convene the next meeting of the Department for Transport’s Freight Council.
Our ambition is for the Freight Council to bring leaders from the freight and logistics sector together with government to agree priorities and actions, so that freight plays its full part in growing our economy. We have been considering the best Council format to achieve this and will confirm this in due course.
What guidance her Department issues on the powers available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to (i) remove and (ii) seize a vehicle parked on a public highway that does not have a valid MOT.
The Department for Transport does not issue such guidance. The police can check if a vehicle has a valid MOT by using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and conducting random stops, and they are able to seize a vehicle without a valid MOT. Local authorities already have parking enforcement powers and can remove vehicles parked illegally, and many also enable the public to report vehicles without valid MOTs online.
What guidance her Department issues on the powers available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to (i) remove and (ii) seize a vehicle parked on a public highway that does not have valid insurance.
The Government takes uninsured driving very seriously and is determined to see a reduction in this offence. Since 2005, the police have had the power to seize vehicles that are being driven without insurance and as of 2020, two million vehicles had been seized in Great Britain. We do not currently issue guidance on vehicle seizure for vehicles without insurance.
What progress has been made on the Government's Rail freight Growth Strategy.
The Secretary of State has tasked Shadow Great British Railways leaders with producing a delivery plan for both passengers and freight users. The Secretary of State for Transport will place a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight. There will also be targets set for growing rail freight.
What progress has been made on Great British Railways Decarbonisation plan.
The Department for Transport is working with the rail industry, notably Network Rail, the Great British Railways Transition Team, and rolling stock manufacturers and leasing companies to develop credible long-term plans for decarbonisation; whilst Network Rail and Train Operators continue to deliver their existing commitments. This includes both reducing rail’s direct contribution to carbon emissions and the role rail should play in supporting wider decarbonisation of transport and industry. Once established, GBR will be accountable for delivery of these measures as part of the Secretary of State’s Long Term Rail Strategy.
What progress has been made on Network Rail's Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy.
The Department for Transport took account of Network Rail’s Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy which was previously used as guidance. However, with developments in the technology available, we are working with Network Rail, the Great British Railways Transition Team and rolling stock manufacturers and leasing companies to bring forward costed options for Government to carefully consider in terms of overall deliverability and affordability before any plan can be developed.
What progress his Department has made on (a) the Folkestone to Wembley Rail Freight route and (b) adopting the gauge to W12 for cross-channel rail freight.
The Government fully supports the growth of international rail freight through the Channel Tunnel, recognising its economic and environmental potential. Under our plans to deliver the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation, Great British Railways will have a statutory duty to promote the use of rail freight, with an overall growth target set by the Transport Secretary. Regarding gauge clearance, I am aware of industry proposals to enhance Kent routes to ‘W12’, in order to enable more containerised traffic from Europe. Alongside this, Network Rail has been considering more modest, incremental gauge clearance plans for it as a step towards W12. However, any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process, working with industry, and will need to clearly demonstrate demand for enhanced infrastructure.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s management of railway adhesion in Control Period 6 between 2019 and 2024.
Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Approach to Railhead Adhesion Management policy, which sets out all proven and practical control measures for adhesion risk. This includes infrastructure, train operations and trainborne risk controls. The Office of Rail and Road, as the safety and economic regulator for the railways, ensures that the work undertaken is fit for purpose.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s targets to improve railway adhesion in Control Period 7 between 2024 and 2029.
Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Approach to Railhead Adhesion Management policy, which sets out all proven and practical control measures for adhesion risk. This includes infrastructure, train operations and trainborne risk controls. The Office of Rail and Road, as the safety and economic regulator for the railways, ensures that the work undertaken is fit for purpose.
What recent discussions she has had with (a) shipowners, (b) training providers and (c) trade unions on the provision of maritime apprenticeships.
The UK must continue to be at the leading edge of maritime skills and provide a world-class education to benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is why DfT officials are engaging with the Department for Education on the establishment of Skills England. Ministers will be kept updated on this work as it progresses and will hold discussions with industry and Cabinet colleagues as appropriate.