Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Whether she plans to review the regulations on the use of e-scooters on roads.

Until changes are made, private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements. In the Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which is part of the Industrial Strategy, the Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles, including e-scooters, when parliamentary time allows. The Government will consult thoroughly and publicly before any regulations on e-scooters come into force.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing free bus travel to under 22 year olds.

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 25/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been allocated £6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.

What estimate she has made of the number of new vehicles manufactured (a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere that will be commissioned following the announcement of the allocations for the Transport for City Regions settlements between the 2027-28 and 2031-32 financial years.

The Chancellor announced the £15.6 billion Transport for City Regions settlements for 9 eligible mayoral strategic authorities on 4 June 2025. As a devolved funding programme, it is for local areas to decide how to allocate this funding to address their local transport priorities. The longer-term funding certainty provided by this announcement will enable city regions to develop project pipelines, supporting market engagement.

What plans she has for future funding arrangements for the British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.

If she will list the vessels certified by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for DFDS’s roll-on roll-off ferry services to Jersey from (a) Poole and (b) Portsmouth.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency currently do not certify any vessels operated by DFDS on services to Jersey from Poole or Portsmouth.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are currently working with DFDS in relation to vessels taking up operations from these ports later in March 2025 and April 2025.

Whether she has had discussions with trade unions on seafarer jobs providing DFDS services to Jersey from (a) Poole and (b) Portsmouth.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with the trade unions to discuss seafarers. The issue of seafarer jobs on the new DFDS services to Jersey has not been raised.

Whether she has had discussions with harbour authorities in (a) Poole and (b) Portsmouth on the application of the Seafarers Wages Regulations 2024 on ferry services scheduled to operate from these ports in 2025.

Department for Transport officials engaged with all harbour authorities with services in scope of the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023 and Regulations 2024 to explain how the legislation applies, ahead of it coming into force. This included Poole and Portsmouth.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that disabled travellers are not discriminated against when using (a) aircraft, (b) trains and (c) ferries and cruise ships.

Discrimination on transport is not acceptable, and this Government is committed to making our transport networks safe and easy to use, allowing disabled passengers to travel confidently and with dignity. Aviation must be accessible; everyone should be able to fly with dignity and ease. There is specific legislation that prevents discrimination against disabled passengers in air travel, which is enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s aviation regulator. The Department launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November that is led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, bringing together industry and consumer representatives to develop practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility. Similarly accessibility for all rail passengers is at the heart of our passenger-focused approach. Train and station operators are required by their operating licences to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) which must be approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).  An ATP sets out, amongst other things, the arrangements and assistance that an operator will provide to protect the interests of disabled people using its services and to facilitate such use. Accessible travel also extends to the seas, including crucial lifeline ferry services. Maritime officials and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) work together to understand passenger needs, through initiatives including the annual passenger surveys. As the designated regulatory National Enforcement Body, the MCA has powers to enforce compliance with the accessibility standards.

What recent steps she has taken to help end discrimination against disabled people when travelling abroad.

Discrimination on transport is not acceptable, and this Government is committed to making its UK transport network safe and easy to use, allowing disabled passengers to travel confidently and with dignity.On travel abroad, the Government works through international bodies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to promote accessibility standards for air and sea travel.The UK also fully supports and encourages alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which includes provisions on accessible transport. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides travel advice for UK travellers overseas, and British Embassies and Consulates can offer support and advocacy.

When the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles plans to publish guidance on the options for the charging of electric vehicles.

The Government regularly publishes guidance for local authorities, industry and other key stakeholders on different aspects of electric vehicle (EV) charging, including the recent guidance on ‘cross-pavement solutions for charging electric vehicles’ and an online EV infrastructure ‘Knowledge Repository’ containing expert advice on all aspects of chargepoint delivery.

What steps the Government is taking to encourage people to buy electric vehicles.

The Government offers several incentives to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. £120m of new funding was announced at the Autumn Budget to support the purchase of zero emission vans and wheelchair accessible vehicles through the Plug-in Vehicle Grants next financial year. Grants will also continue to incentivise the purchase of zero emission motorcycles, taxis, and trucks until at least the end of the 2024/25 financial year. There are also several tax measures designed to encourage the adoption of zero emission vehicles. They are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) until April 2025, after which they will pay the lowest first year rates of VED at £10. Favourable Company Car Tax rates have also been set out to 2030 and will continue to strongly incentivise electric vehicle uptake.

Which authority is responsible for the recovery and disposal of boats that have sunk or are stranded near the shoreline when they do not present a navigation hazard.

In the case of sunk or stranded vessels, the owner of that vessel is responsible for carrying out any actions required to mitigate environmental consequences under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. This may be carried out in conjunction with an insurance company. Sunk vessels that are not hazards to navigation may be assessed for their potential environmental impact by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Intervention and Salvage (SOSREP). Where vessels are stranded near the shoreline, the responsibility for the removal of the vessel still sits with the owner. In some cases, it is not possible to trace an owner for stranded vessels on the shoreline. In these cases, the responsibility for remediation may fall to the landowner. The landowner may choose to instigate legal action against the vessel's owner where possible. Regulations such as the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (England and Wales) may apply. In such cases, the vessel could also be salvaged voluntarily, by any person, to prevent further damage and in return for a salvage fee from the owner, or insurer.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring future housing developments provide electronic vehicle charging facilities for residents.

Since June 2022, Part S of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 requires new residential properties with associated parking to have access to electric vehicle chargepoints.

If she will ensure that any future review of the bus fare cap will take account of (a) young people and (b) low paid workers.

On Monday 28 October, the Prime Minister confirmed the government will introduce a new £3 cap on single bus fares from 1 January 2025 until the end of 2025. Moving forward, the government will also explore more targeted options that deliver value for money to the taxpayer, to ensure affordable bus travel is always available for the groups who need it the most - such as young people.

What recent discussions officials in her Department have had with the (a) States of Jersey, (b) States of Guernsey, (c) ferry operators and (d) trade unions on the long term provision of ferry services from (i) Poole and (ii) Portsmouth to the Channel Islands.

Maritime officials within the Department have had no discussions on the long-term provision of ferry services from (i) Poole and (ii) Portsmouth to the Channel Islands. Ferry services are predominantly run on a commercial basis without UK government intervention. However, where services are pertinent to local and regional objectives, relevant bodies can become involved in the specification of service provision. In this case, we understand that the governments of the States of Guernsey and Jersey have undertaken a procurement process to meet the Islands’ ferry service needs. This is a matter for those States, and therefore this Department has not had discussions with Islands, ferry providers, or unions, in this instance.

Whether the new cap on bus fares will include services that are solely for the transport of pupils to and from their place of education.

The new fare cap will be designed to be as equitable as possible in terms of its support for passengers across England. One of the key principles of the scheme will be to include ‘open’ services which allow any member of public to board. ‘Closed’ school services, defined as a service which would not allow a member of the general public to board, and school services which operate in term-time only will not be eligible for inclusion. This is in keeping with the approach of the previous fare cap scheme, which did not allow for the inclusion of closed school services. Services from participating operators that serve schools, are open to members of the public and run all year round will be eligible for inclusion in the scheme.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing South Western Railway's Arterio Class 701 trains back into service.

Department officials have regular discussions with South-Western Railway on the introduction of the Arterio Class 701 fleet. The first trains have entered passenger service, with a gradual roll out expected over the next two years.

If she will have discussions with South Western Railway on the use of Arterio Class 701 trains.

Department officials have regular discussions with South-Western Railway on the introduction of the Arterio Class 701 fleet. The first trains have entered passenger service, with a gradual roll out expected over the next two years.

If her Department will make a comparative assessment of the (a) effectiveness and (b) safety of operating train doors by (i) Driver Control Operation and (ii) the driver opening doors and the guard closing them.

We look to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent safety regulator for Britain’s railways, to ensure operators have the right procedures in place for both driver and guard operated doors to safeguard passengers when embarking and disembarking trains. The ORR has concluded that passengers can be dispatched safely and effectively with driver control operated doors, provided suitable equipment, procedures and competent staff are in place. These should be consistent with the principles for driver-controlled operation that the ORR has developed in consultation with train operators and trade unions. The ORR will, nonetheless, continue to keep dispatch arrangements under review to ensure any risks are mitigated effectively.