Written questions by Morris.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues 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.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6029 on Railways: Passengers, if he will publish those forecasts.

The Department develops and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts. These are published when appropriate to evidence policy decisions.

How much funding her Department provided to Rail Partners in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

The Department has not provided any funding directly to Rail Partners in 2021, 2022 or 2023.

What assessment she has made of the value for money of Network Rail's annual spending with Alexander Mann Solutions.

Network Rail contracts with Alexander Mann Solutions through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, which is subject to value for money due diligence.

Which consular representatives from his Department attended the Innotrans rail trade convention in Berlin between Tuesday 24 and Friday 27 September 2024.

The official delegation from my department which attended InnoTrans in Berlin between 24 and 26 September was led by the Director for Rail International, Integration and Security.

How much funding her Department has provided for signalling improvements on the Cambrian line since 2014.

Since 2014 my Department has allocated £3.8 million of UK Government funding for signalling improvements on the Cambrian Line.

How much (a) Northern Rail, (b) London North Eastern Railway, (c) TransPennine Express and (d) Southeastern pay annually in membership fees to (i) the Rail Delivery Group and (ii) Rail Partners.

In 2024/25, the annual membership fee paid by each of Northern Trains Limited, London North-Eastern Railway Limited and South Eastern Trains Limited to the Rail Partners is £70,350 (exclusive of VAT). The annual membership fee paid by Transpennine Trains Limited to the Rail Partners is £57,750 (exclusive of VAT). Rail Partners have two distinct functions – Policy and Advocacy, and Operator Services. The operators in question are currently members of the latter, which brings together industry leaders to discuss matters of operations and engineering. These memberships are historic and subject to review. Operators do not pay a membership fee to the Rail Delivery Group but rather pay for services that are delivered on behalf of the operators, such as National Rail Enquiries.

What recent discussions officials in her Department have had with the owners of Purfleet port on (a) enforcement of and (b) compliance with the Seafarers Wages Act 2024.

Feedback from industry has been crucial throughout the legislative process and officials have engaged extensively with ports and ferry operators on the regulations and supporting guidance, which set out the responsibilities of the ports and operators under the Act. Officials more recently engaged with the owners of Purfleet Port in workshops during the public consultation period which ran from February to March this year. Officials have also invited them to further engage in upcoming information sessions on the requirements and the application of the legislation in November.

Whether she has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the collision between the Wind of Hope vessel and a turbine in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm on 20 September 2024.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch was notified of the incident via the usual channels. However, no further action was taken as it occurred outside of UK waters and the vessel is French-flagged.

What information her Department has on the number of times the Ro-Ro cargo ferry Laureline called in Purfleet port in the 2023-24 financial year.

According to the Department's vessel arrival statistics, in the calendar year 2023, the merchant vessel Laureline (9823352) did not call at Purfleet port. The Department cannot disclose data pertaining to 2024 as these data are unpublished and will only be available upon publication of the Department’s annual Port Freight statistics 2024, which is expected to be in summer 2025.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) top speed and (b) tilting ability of the new Hitachi 805 trains.

The Hitachi-built Class 805 train has a top speed of 125mph (200km/h), which is adequate for use on the West Coast Mainline and in line with the in-service Class 390 Pendolinos. The Class 805 train, unlike the Pendolinos operated by Avanti West Coast, does not tilt. However, there is a cross-industry line speed enhancement programme underway to enable operation at up to 125mph (200km/h) without tilting.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s (a) maintenance and (b) renewal work since the start of Control Period 7 on 1 April 2024.

The Department for Transport monitors Network Rail’s delivery of its work on a continuing basis and the independent rail safety and economic regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), holds Network Rail to account for its delivery of its maintenance and renewal work. The ORR determines Network Rail’s success against its regulatory targets, set as part of the Periodic Review, and sets out its view of Network Rail’s performance periodically, including in its Annual Assessment.

If she will make an estimate of future rail passenger demand by 2050.

In line with our published guidance, the Department has developed and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts in both the medium and long term which we update at regular intervals. Our long-term forecasting framework extends to (and beyond) 2050. As part of this, the Department considers and includes a wide range of evidence.

How much capital expenditure her Department has planned for public transport projects in each of the next five years; and which projects she plans to provide funding for.

This Government will set out its fiscal plans as part of the ongoing Spending Review which will conclude in the Spring. We will share more information when we are able to do so.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 30 July 2024 on Transport infrastructure review, when she plans to publish the results of the internal review of the her Department's capital spend portfolio.

As this is an internal review, there are currently no plans to publish the results.

Whether she plans to (a) commission and (b) update rail passenger (i) growth and (ii) demand forecasts.

In line with our published guidance, the Department has developed and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts in both the medium and long term which we update at regular intervals. As part of this, the Department considers and includes a wide range of evidence.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the separation between Network Rail’s (a) executive (b) non-executive functions.

In line with the Network Rail Framework Agreement, an external independent Board Effectiveness Review of Network Rail took place earlier this year, the findings report was shared with the Network Rail Board in September and subsequently with the Department for Transport.

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) governance and (b) oversight structure of the Network Rail board.

In line with the Network Rail Framework Agreement, an external independent Board Effectiveness Review of Network Rail took place earlier this year, the findings report was shared with the Network Rail Board in September and subsequently with the Department for Transport.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes by train operating companies managed by DfT OLR Holdings Ltd to contracts with rail suppliers on (a) cost risk and (b) performance.

The Department expects all train operators to manage suppliers appropriately and deliver reliable services for passengers while minimising costs for taxpayers, whether they are in the private or public sector.

What the cost to the public purse was of supporting the Rail Supply Group in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

The Rail Supply Group (RSG) provides a forum for government and the rail industry to discuss overarching rail supply chain issues and to lead targeted work to address government and industry priorities. Industry members give their time for free, but the group has received limited funding from the Department for Transport (since financial year 2022/23), the Department for Business and Trade, Network Rail, industry members and the Rail Industry Association to support the group’s activities. The Department for Transport provided £75,000 in grant-funding, via the Rail Delivery Group, to RSG for the financial year 2022/23.