Written questions by Smith.

Whether she plans to undertake an urgent review of the EV transition, including the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

Awaiting answer.

What steps Northern Trains Limited has taken to reduce service cancellations and improve reliability since 17 December 2025; and what percentage change in cancellations on that network has been from 17 December 2025 to the latest available data point.

Awaiting answer.

What progress LNER has made on replacing passenger information screens at York and Newcastle stations since 17 December 2025; and what steps she is taking to enhance passenger information across LNER-managed stations.

Awaiting answer.

What progress LNER has made on the development and delivery of AI-powered instant disruption updates to customers; and whether this system remains on track for delivery in 2026.

Awaiting answer.

What recent analysis her Department has undertaken of prevailing EV market demand and trajectories required under the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

Awaiting answer.

What data her Department holds on the average number of carriages provided per service for each train operating company holding a National Rail contract in each of the last 18 months.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of regional variations in the proportion of rail services operated with fewer carriages than planned in the last 18 months.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955, if she will provide a breakdown of the capital expenditure programmes Trinity House is committed to for the decarbonisation of its lighthouse estate and vessel fleet by 2050; and how much of this is funded via the General Lighthouse Fund.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955 on Department for Transport: Carbon Emissions, if she will set out the programmes Transport Focus is undertaking to ensure its advocacy work and passenger research support the 2050 Net Zero target; and what the associated cost to the public purse is.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100955 on Department for Transport: Carbon Emissions, what assessment she has made of the administrative costs required for the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain to adapt HGV and PSV licensing regulations to support the transition to zero-emission commercial fleets by 2050.

Awaiting answer.

How much her Department has spent on public relations companies since 4 July 2024 since 4 July 2024, and for what purpose.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What plans she has to ensure a) her Department, b) local authorities and c) regional transport bodies take account of duties under the Armed Forces Covenant when expanded.

The Department is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and to supporting members of the Armed Forces community in accessing the transport system. The Department has not identified specific disadvantages for members of the Armed Forces community in transport usage as a distinct group beyond those reflected in wider accessibility and transport disadvantage analysis. We recognise that individuals within the Armed Forces community may face particular challenges linked to mobility, relocation and access to local transport services. The Department engages with the Armed Forces community and relevant stakeholders and will consider opportunities for co-production where appropriate, including in the development of transport policy tools and related interventions. Support is provided through the HM Forces Railcard, and the Veterans Railcard. Disabled military personnel may also be eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme where they meet the statutory disability criteria. Departmental guidance to local authorities recommends automatic eligibility for applicants in receipt of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement. The Ministry of Defence has engaged with Department for Transport officials on the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty to include transport and the extension of the duty to UK Government departments. As part of this engagement, the Department reviewed draft statutory guidance relating to the Covenant duty, including the application of the “due regard” obligation in transport policy and the treatment of military evidence of disability in relation to transport concession schemes. The Department’s views informed development of the final guidance. Local authorities and regional transport bodies are expected to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising their transport functions. The Department will continue to support implementation of these duties.

Whether her Department has identified a) disadvantages for members of the Armed Forces community in transport usage and b) the potential for co-production of measures to help tackle those disadvantages.

The Department is committed to the Armed Forces Covenant and to supporting members of the Armed Forces community in accessing the transport system. The Department has not identified specific disadvantages for members of the Armed Forces community in transport usage as a distinct group beyond those reflected in wider accessibility and transport disadvantage analysis. We recognise that individuals within the Armed Forces community may face particular challenges linked to mobility, relocation and access to local transport services. The Department engages with the Armed Forces community and relevant stakeholders and will consider opportunities for co-production where appropriate, including in the development of transport policy tools and related interventions. Support is provided through the HM Forces Railcard, and the Veterans Railcard. Disabled military personnel may also be eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme where they meet the statutory disability criteria. Departmental guidance to local authorities recommends automatic eligibility for applicants in receipt of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement. The Ministry of Defence has engaged with Department for Transport officials on the expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant legal duty to include transport and the extension of the duty to UK Government departments. As part of this engagement, the Department reviewed draft statutory guidance relating to the Covenant duty, including the application of the “due regard” obligation in transport policy and the treatment of military evidence of disability in relation to transport concession schemes. The Department’s views informed development of the final guidance. Local authorities and regional transport bodies are expected to have due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant when exercising their transport functions. The Department will continue to support implementation of these duties.

With reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 118920, whether she has plans to undertake a BCR assessment for the dualling of single sections of the Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria line.

The most recent appraisal was undertaken in 2014 as part of the Blackburn to Manchester Rail Scheme, which assessed options to double the single-track sections between Blackburn and Bolton. The preferred option was to extend the Darwen passing loop, which presented a core BCR of 1.67. The £13.8 million scheme was funded by Blackburn & Darwen Council and the Local Growth Fund. It was delivered by Network Rail in 2015 and the half hourly rail service between Blackburn and Manchester Victoria commenced in December 2017. The Department has no plans to undertake further economic analysis or development work on this corridor, but would welcome discussions with Lancashire County Combined Authority, should they wish to prioritise any such analysis locally.

A) what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues and with international counterparts on plans to link the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes and b) what impact assessment has been done to identify how it will affect the maritime sector and, in particular, island communities such as the Isle of Wight.

Negotiations to agree linking of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and EU ETS are ongoing, including for the maritime sector. The Government is working to negotiate a good deal in line with UK interests, as quickly as feasible, as set out in the Common Understanding in May 2025. The Government is committed to providing Parliament with appropriate analysis of our EU deal. We will not be able to provide a full assessment of the impacts whilst negotiations are ongoing, and a final agreement has not yet been reached. As negotiations progress, the Government will follow normal processes for any necessary legislative changes and assess impacts accordingly.

What expenditure has the Northern Lighthouse Board undertaken on public affairs companies, and for what purposes, since 4 July 2024.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the announcement of 25 March 2026 entitled £1 billion to cut costs for businesses, drive growth and clean up UK roads, a) how much funding has been allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme in each financial year covered by the announcement, b) what estimate her Department has made of the number of (i) electric vans and (ii) zero emission HGVs expected to be supported by the funding, and (c) how much of this funding is expected to be made available to (i) SMEs and (ii) large businesses.

£171 million has been allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme for financial year 2026/27 out to Financial Year 2029/30, with £28 million confirmed for the 2026/27 Financial Year and £38 million for 2027/28. Grant rates and future application windows will be confirmed in due course. The Zero Emission Van Grant and the Zero Emission Truck Grant are demand led and the number of grants offered will be dependent on the needs of SMEs and large businesses across the UK.

With reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 118920, if she will develop new Outline Business Cases for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Kuwait; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

With reference to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of the flight to Kazakhstan; which Ministers and senior officials approved the visit; how many officials travelled on that occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of the visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.