Written questions by Maguire.

How many concessionary bus journeys were taken by (a) elderly and (b) disabled people in (i) 2018-19, (ii) 2023-24 and (iii) 2024-25.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

How many concessionary bus journeys were available in (a) 2018-19, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating zero-emission transport refrigeration units for refrigerated transport to replace diesel units.

The Department for Transport is working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to develop an Off-Road Machinery Decarbonisation Strategy, the scope of which includes transport refrigeration units (TRUs). This strategy will set out how off-road machinery can further decarbonise while maintaining competitiveness, attracting investment, and supporting growth. Decisions on the long-term approach towards refrigerated units will be taken in the context of this strategy.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of concessionary bus journeys undertaken by (a) elderly and (b) disabled people.

The Department publishes statistics on concessionary travel in England in the Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which are based on survey data collected from Travel Concession Authorities (TCAs). Concessionary travel relates to when eligible people travel on reduced (or free) fares. The latest concessionary travel statistics, including figures on concessionary bus passenger journeys in England for the year ending March 2019 to the year ending March 2024 for older and disabled people are provided in the table below: Table: Older and Disabled Concessionary Bus Journeys, millionsYear ending MarchEnglandEngland outside LondonLondonEnglish metropolitan areasEnglish non-metropolitan areas2019861592269226366202080255025220934020212701799276103202249132216912919320235703721981412312024604389215144245 More information can be found in the Department’s Concessionary Travel Statistics release, which is available on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/concessionary-travel-statistics-year-ending-march-2024 The Department does not currently hold data separately for elderly and disabled concessionary passenger journeys. Data for the year ending March 2025 is not currently available but is scheduled for publication on GOV.UK on 26 November 2025.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of driving tests in (a) Epsom and Ewell constituency and (b) England.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.These actions include incentivised additional testing offers for driving examiners, doubling permanent training capacity for new driving examiners, and a call for volunteers from those currently in other roles (but qualified to examine) to carry out practical driving tests.DVSA is continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country to provide as many tests as possible. Since July last year, DVSA has recruited and trained 290 driving examiners (DE) who are now in post and delivering driving tests.The test centres that serve candidates in the Epsom and Ewell constituency are Tolworth, Chertsey, Morden and Mitcham.Since July 2025, one new entrant examiner has passed their training course and is now conducting tests at Tolworth test centre, with a further new entrant currently undertaking training and one booked on a training course. DVSA also has one new entrant undertaking training and if successful will begin testing at Chertsey. DVSA has also made an offer of employment to a new entrant examiner for Morden test centre. A further three new entrants who have passed their training course are now conducting tests at Mitcham, with a further new entrant awaiting to start their training and one new entrant currently undertaking training.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that accessible electric vehicle charging standards fully meet disabled users’ needs.

The Government is committed to ensuring that public charging infrastructure is accessible for all. Earlier this year, the Government and Motability Foundation co-sponsored a review of the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 1899:2022 standards for chargepoint accessibility to ensure they fully meet disabled users’ needs. We will continue to monitor the adoption of the standards and their impact on accessibility to assess the need for further measures.

What steps her Department is taking to deliver accessible electric vehicle charge points across (a) motorways and (b) major ‘A’ road networks with provision that meets (i) current and (ii) projected future demand.

A reliable, accessible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential. On accessibility, the Government will continue to work with industry and other parties to ensure effective implementation of the Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 1899:2022 for chargepoint accessibility. We will work with stakeholders to support the revision of these standards and continue to monitor progress on chargepoint accessibility to assess whether further intervention is needed.Chargepoint provision on motorways and major A-roads has grown strongly, with now over 6,000 open-access chargepoints within one mile of the Strategic Road Network, more than quadrupling in the last three years (July 2022 – July 2025, Zapmap). The recent Spending Review announced £400 million for charging infrastructure, including to support charging on the Strategic Road Network.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of a public awareness campaign on the law regarding the use of e-scooters.

We have committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows. It will create safe, legal routes for people to use new transport technology and allow us to crack down on those determined to use e-scooters illegally or irresponsibly.As part of this, the Government will carefully consider how we communicate with the public on their current legal status, how that will be changing, and any future requirements they may need to comply with to use e-scooters lawfully.

What her planned timeline is for publishing the new research on the extent and impact of pavement parking.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. The new research announced last week will not delay this; my officials are finalising its terms now. The Department will aim to publish within 12 weeks of agreeing final outputs, per Government Social Research protocols. Local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking.

When she plans to make an announcement on pavement parking.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. The new research announced last week will not delay this; my officials are finalising its terms now. The Department will aim to publish within 12 weeks of agreeing final outputs, per Government Social Research protocols. Local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing penalties for certain uses of a mounted device while driving and (b) updating the guidance entitled Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving to clarify the legality of using a mounted device.

My department is developing our Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course. My department keeps the law under review but has not made an assessment of the penalties for the use of a mounted device while driving, or of updating the guidance “Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving".

What steps her Department is taking to increase train (a) affordability, (b) reliability and (c) frequency in Surrey.

As announced in January, Pay As You Go will be rolled out to 49 further stations in the South East, this year, including Ashtead and Leatherhead within the Epsom and Ewell constituency. This will give passengers simper, easier, and more flexible ways to travel, ensuring passengers pay the best price for the journey on the day of travel. South Western Railway is now under public ownership, and it has been tasked with developing a detailed plan to improve performance and introduce the new Arterio fleet. This new fleet will replace the aging Class 455 fleet and improve reliability. Following the rollout of the Arterio fleet, there will be an opportunity to look at the timetable and frequency of services to Surrey.

What steps his Department is taking to speed up the rollout of South Western Railway Arterio trains in Surrey following renationalisation.

The new Managing Director, Lawrence Bowman, has been tasked with drawing up a plan to introduce the new Class 701 Arterio fleet. South Western Railway (SWR) has accelerated the Arterio rollout with five additional units introduced since the transfer to public ownership (12 units in total) compared to only one additional unit being introduced in the six months prior to transfer. The Department is working with SWR to ensure the remaining fleet are introduced as soon as possible.

What steps her Department is taking to return the frequency of South Western Railway trains in Surrey back to pre-Covid levels following renationalisation.

Passenger demand has not yet grown back to pre-Covid levels. However, the Department and South Western Railway (SWR) are in regular discussion regarding service provision, which aim to balance the needs of both passenger and taxpayer. Following the introduction of the Class 701 Arterio fleet which will significantly increase capacity, there will be an opportunity to look at the South Western timetable.

How much bus companies are reimbursed per journey for disabled bus pass holders; and whether this is a fixed rate across regions.

Reimbursement rates under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) are not typically split between disabled and older passholders. However, the average rate of reimbursement for both statutory and discretionary concessionary journeys in 2023/24 was £1.44 for England outside of London (£1.17 for England) but varies by area.Bus operators must be reimbursed on a ‘no better and no worse off’ basis for carrying concessionary passholders. The reimbursement rate is not a fixed rate across England as it is dependent on local conditions such as fares and the cost of carrying concessionary passengers for additional journeys made under the scheme.The Department for Transport issues reimbursement guidance and a calculator to facilitate the reimbursement rates from Local Transport Authorities to operators.

What discussions she has had with local authorities in Surrey on pavement parking powers.

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with local authorities in Surrey on this matter. The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government has decided its preferred way forward, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to restrict and enforce pavement parking.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing return tickets on disabled people.

We will carefully consider and give due to regard to any equality considerations as we move to improve fares and ticketing for passengers. To ensure disabled passengers are not disadvantaged, they can get a one third discount on their fares with a Disabled Persons' Railcard.

If she will introduce a ban on pavement parking in town centres outside of London.

The Department for Transport has been considering all the views expressed in response to the consultation in 2020 and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government has decided its preferred way forward, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling people over 60 to travel for free on public transport in England.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. Local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations such as lowering the age of eligibility. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources. The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Surrey County Council has been allocated £12 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of regulating the prices for electric vehicle charging points.

The Government is committed to making EV charging infrastructure affordable and accessible. Energy suppliers providing energy to EV chargepoints are regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem does not currently set a limit for the price that can be charged for the resale of electricity through EV chargepoints. We continue to work with DESNZ and Ofgem on measures to keep EV charging affordable. Under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023, all chargepoint operators must display the price of charging using a common metric of p/kWh and make their data on pricing available freely. This allows drivers to easily compare the price of charging and find the best chargepoint for their needs.