Written questions by Whately.

How many new cars were registered in (a) Blackpool South, (b) Birkenhead, (c) Bootle, (d) Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, (e) Rhondda and Ogmore, (f) Hartlepool and (g) Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituencies in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested geographic level. Information on licensed vehicles broken down by Upper and lower tier local authorities and lower super output areas (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many new cars were registered in the (a) Central Blackpool, Blackpool, (b) Bootle South, Sefton, (c) Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, (d) Hartcliffe, Bristol, (e) Townhill, Swansea, (f) Ely East, Cardiff and (g) Penderry, Swansea Middle layer Super Output Areas in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested level of geographic granularity.Information on licensed vehicles at the upper and lower tier local authority and lower super output area (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many new cars were registered in the (a) West of England Combined Authority, (b) Sheffield City Region, (c) Tees Valley Combined Authority, and (d) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested level of geographic granularity.Information on licensed vehicles at the upper and lower tier local authority and lower super output area (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many new cars were registered in (a) Liverpool Walton, (b) Easington, (c) Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, (d) Aberafan Maesteg and (e) Knowsley constituencies in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested geographic level. Information on licensed vehicles broken down by Upper and lower tier local authorities and lower super output areas (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many cars were registered for the first time in the (a) Birkenhead Central, Wirral, (b) Rhyl North, Denbighshire, (c) Little Layton & Little Carleton, Blackpool, (d) Seacombe, Wirral, (e) Grimsby East Marsh & Port, North East Lincolnshire, (f) Everton East, Liverpool and (g) South Promenade & Seasiders Way, Blackpool Middle layer Super Output Areas in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested level of geographic granularity.Information on licensed vehicles at the upper and lower tier local authority and lower super output area (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many new cars were registered in the (a) West Yorkshire Combined Authority, (b) Cardiff Capital Region (Combined Authority), (c) Swansea Bay City Region and (d) North of Tyne Combined Authority in each of the last five years.

We do not readily hold new vehicle registration figures at the requested level of geographic granularity.Information on licensed vehicles at the upper and lower tier local authority and lower super output area (LSOA) are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/vehicle-licensing-statistics-data-tables

How many new cars were registered in (a) London, (b) the West Midlands Combined Authority, (c) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and (d) the Liverpool City Region in each of the last five years.

The number of cars registered for the first time in the last five years in London were; 107,292 in 2020, 110,607 in 2021, 117,353 in 2022, 138,631 in 2023 and 137,198 in 2024. We do not readily hold the respective figure for the West Midlands Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Liverpool City Region. It is important to note, vehicles are allocated to geographic location according to the postcode of the registered keeper. The address does not necessarily reflect where the vehicle is located. This is especially true for large fleets kept by companies involved with vehicle management, leasing or rentals.

With reference to the report commissioned by the Office of Rail and Road entitled Temple Mills Depot – Independent Capacity Assessment 2025, published on 31 March 2025, what steps her Department is taking to increase the level of capacity available for new operators to run cross-channel services.

The Department welcomes the continuing work by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to assess the various access applications for Temple Mills Depot, including the Independent Capacity Assessment. We expect the ORR to publish its final determination of the various access applications by the end of the year. The Government recognises the significant interest from a number of new entrants seeking to launch services and is working to establish a thriving and competitive market, which will ultimately benefit passengers.

What funding her Department plans to provide for road improvements at the capital roads project Brenley Corner; and when work will begin on it.

Proposals to improve Brenley Corner on the A2 are being developed as part of the pipeline of projects to be considered for possible delivery in a future Road Investment Strategy. Funding has been allocated for the development stages of the proposals only. If taken forward, the project would enter construction beyond 2031.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 September 2025 to Question 2435 on Roads: Kent, what the outcome was of her Department’s capital roads portfolio review.

In July 2024, the Chancellor announced that the Transport Secretary would be undertaking an internal review of Department for Transport’s capital portfolio, informed by external experts. The review is ongoing and it will help inform the Secretary of State’s decisions as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review. The findings of the review will be internal. The Panel does not have any decision-making powers.

What funding her Department plans to provide for road improvements at the capital roads project Blue Bell Hill.

The A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvements scheme is being promoted and managed by Kent County Council. The Council plans to submit an Outline Business Case to the Department in summer 2026. If this is approved, under current arrangements the Department’s maximum funding contribution would be up to a maximum of 85% of the total estimated cost at Outline Business Case stage. This would be conditional on approval by government to a Full Business Case. The Council currently forecasts works starting in spring 2029.

When work will begin on the capital roads project Blue Bell Hill.

The A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvements scheme is being promoted and managed by Kent County Council. The Council plans to submit an Outline Business Case to the Department in summer 2026. If this is approved, under current arrangements the Department’s maximum funding contribution would be up to a maximum of 85% of the total estimated cost at Outline Business Case stage. This would be conditional on approval by government to a Full Business Case. The Council currently forecasts works starting in spring 2029.

What work (a) has been undertaken and (b) is planned on the creation of a long-term strategy for rolling stock.

As part of our reforms to the railway, the Government will develop a long-term strategy for rolling stock promoting a longer-term, whole-system approach. This strategy will seek to provide a strong and steady pipeline of orders, supporting British manufacturing and ending the volatility in demand that we have seen over recent years. It will also consider the best financing structures for future orders in partnership with private capital. Officials are working to develop this strategy alongside the creation of Great British Railways.

Whether the motor insurance taskforce will review postcode insurance pricing.

This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October. This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and by 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 Taskforce will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6166 on East Anglia Rail Franchise, what are the contractual conditions for termination of rail operator contracts.

The events under which an operator would default on its National Rail Contract with the Secretary of State, and events under which termination of the contract would be applicable, are set out in the National Rail Contracts, in particular in Chapter 9.4.1. National Rail Contracts are published as part of the Public Register of Rail Passenger Contracts and are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-register-of-rail-passenger-contracts

Whether she has had direct discussions with her Scottish counterpart since July 2024.

The Secretary of State has had direct discussions with her Scottish counterpart since July 2024.

What progress Network Rail has made on the access charge discount scheme.

To date, under Network Rail’s Access Charges Discount Policy for Control Period 7, two applications have been approved. The first, which has commenced operations is a five day per week service between Tilbury and Manchester. The second is a twice a week service from Southampton to London Gateway that will be starting in the coming weeks.

Whether she has had direct discussions with her Welsh counterpart since July 2024.

The Secretary of State has had direct discussions with her Welsh counterpart since July 2024.

Whether her Department has met with representatives from GoAhead Ltd.

The Secretary of State visited GoAhead in July, and plans to meet representatives again in the near future.

What discussions Network Rail has had with JC Decaux on the potential costs of turning off their advertising hoardings at Euston Station.

As key partners, Network Rail speaks with JCDecaux on commercial matters across its railway estate on a weekly basis, or sometimes even more frequently. The loss of revenue is being borne by Network Rail. Network Rail are unable to comment on the financial impact on JCDecaux as the terms of the agreement are commercially sensitive.