Written questions by Holden.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 104865, whether her Department plans to improve the frequency and granularity of bus passenger journey data collection, including collection by calendar month.

The Department for Transport publishes bus passenger data at a range of frequencies and levels of detail. Annual local bus passenger journey statistics are published on a financial year basis, with the latest release covering April 2024 to March 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/statisticaldata-sets/bus-statistics-data-tables#local-bus-passenger-journeys-bus01. In addition to the annual statistics, the Department publishes more frequent information on bus use through two separate statistical releases. The Department publishes daily bus passenger data for Great Britain outside London and London as part of the daily domestic transport use by mode publication, which is updated monthly: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-use-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic.The Department also published daily local bus passenger and trip data by Local Transport Authority as Official Statistics in Development last year: https://www.gov.uk/government/statisticaldata-sets/bus-statistics-data-tables#local-bus-passenger-journeys-bus01. These are undergoing further development and testing with users, in line with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics. Current data limitations include no data held for London and incomplete coverage for England outside London. For this latter release, the Department plans to continue developing the data source, publish an updated set in due course and move towards more regular updates in future. Decisions on the precise timing, frequency and level of detail, including the potential production of statistics monthly, will be informed by ongoing work to improve data quality, coverage and user value.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 106335, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of public electric vehicle chargepoints that have been installed but are not operational due to electricity grid connection issues.

The Department for Transport does not have such an estimate.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 January 2026 to Question 105289, how many meetings of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce have taken place since July 2024; on what dates those meetings occurred; and who was present.

The first meeting of the reconvened Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce was held on 30 January 2025, and a further meeting of the Taskforce will be convened in the near future to discuss next steps. Attendees at the 30th January meeting included representatives from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, the Greater London Authority, Transport for London, the Department for Transport, the Port of London Authority, the London Borough of Wandsworth, Historic England and the Environment Agency, as well as local Members of Parliament attending as observers.

What progress she has made on the development of a UK draft Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code; when she expects a draft to be published; and what engagement her Department has had with industry and international partners on the alignment of the UK framework with international standards.

The Workboat Code Edition 3, including its annex for remotely operated unmanned vessels, came into force in December 2023. This followed public consultation, during which the Maritime and Coastguard Agency engaged extensively with the industry through meetings, conferences and post‑consultation briefing sessions. This code is already informing the domestic frameworks of international partners, including some of our close collaborators and co-signatories of the North Sea MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) Memorandum of Understanding. The UK has been a leading participant in international negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), coordinating several chapters of the non-mandatory IMO MASS Code expected in June 2026. The code will provide guidance for a rapidly developing autonomy industry, enabling the commercial use of autonomous ships. The UK will work with international partners and leading industry players throughout the IMO’s “experience-building phase” to shape the IMO MASS Code ahead of its anticipated enforcement in 2032.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the current level of port and bunkering infrastructure on the uptake of e-fuels by UK-operating vessels; what steps the Government is taking to help increase the domestic (a) production and (b) supply of e-fuels for maritime transport; and what steps her Department has taken to help increase investment in port and bunkering infrastructure.

The Government provides the port sector with the right regulatory environment it needs to support investment, providing targeted support where there are clear public benefits, such as decarbonisation. In September 2025 the Government announced a further £448 million to the UK SHORE research programme, the biggest ever Government investment in commercial maritime across the UK. In addition, the Government is working with the National Wealth Fund, which has committed at least £5.8 billion of its capital to five sectors, including ports. The Government has not conducted an assessment of the impact of an uptake in e-fuels on the current level of port and bunkering infrastructure in the UK, however we are taking action through policies set out in the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy. This Strategy includes a range of fuel scenarios, underpinned by a maritime emissions model, illustrating the varying ways in which the UK domestic maritime sector could transition from traditional fuels, such as heavy fuel oil, to zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels. Additionally, we intend to publish a consultation on a domestic maritime fuel regulation later this year which will help set the direction of UK maritime fuels policy and reduce uncertainty for the sector.

Whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of the Wheels to Work scheme on youth unemployment; and what steps she is taking to support that scheme.

On 10 December the Government announced £626 million for local authorities from 2026 to 2030 to deliver new active travel schemes, building on nearly £300 million already allocated for 2024 to 2026. While the Department has made no assessment of Wheels to Work schemes, which are designed and operated by local authorities, local authorities are able to use the active travel funding from Government to support the delivery of them.

Whether her Department plans to differentiate between motorcycles and driver-based vehicles in the development of transport and road safety policy, including within the Integrated National Transport Strategy.

The Department for Transport already makes a differentiation between motorcycles and driver-based vehicles in the development of transport and road safety policy, including the upcoming national strategy for integrated transport. The Road Safety Strategy published on 7 January contains many measures that will directly or indirectly benefit all road users while also proposing specific measures that are distinct to motorcyclists for example the announced consultation on a package of reforms to motorcycle training, testing and licensing and for drivers for example minimum learning periods for learner drivers. The Highway Code clearly differentiates between the rules for motorcyclists and other road users, being structured with specific sections for the different road user types. In January 2022 the department updated The Highway Code and introduced the “Hierarchy of Road Users” which places the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists who are most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy, so that they have priority in certain situations. Motorcyclists are recognised as more vulnerable, than cars and heavy goods, vehicles drivers within this hierarchy. However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course. With consideration to the access of different vehicle types to segregated road lanes, in 2024 the Department ran a consultation on allowing motorcycles to access bus lanes by default, as is the case for pedal cycles. The responses did not provide a robust evidence base on which to amend the current policy. Decisions on whether to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes are a matter for the relevant local highway authority. There is also a differentiation regarding technical approval as all vehicles registered in the UK must be approved under the relevant type approval framework which ensure they meet safety requirements that are specific to their design and use. There is a dedicated type approval processes for motorcycles which is distinct to those for other vehicle types.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Driving innovation – 38,000 jobs on the horizon as pilots of self-driving vehicles fast-tracked, published on 10 June 2025, whether the autonomous vehicle pilot schemes supported by her Department are intended to operate on a national basis, and what consideration has been given to the inclusion of towns, cities, and rural areas across all regions of the UK.

The government intends to launch the Automated Passenger Services (APS) permitting scheme in Spring 2026; this scheme applies to Great Britain. The scheme will allow developers and potential operators to evaluate different areas for pilot deployments and test the commercial viability of this new mode of transportation. This includes in towns and rural areas where there may be a lack of transport provision. Through this scheme, the government aims to create the right enabling framework for services to be able to deploy across a range of locations.

How her Department assesses how effectively local highway authorities are spending pothole funding.

The Department assesses how effectively local highway authorities are spending highways maintenance funding through a combination of transparency requirements, incentive funding and rating mechanisms, enabling the provision of targeted support. The Department published a new traffic light rating system for local highway authorities on 11 January. Under this system, all local highway authorities in England received a red, amber or green rating based on the condition of their roads, how much they spend to maintain their roads, and whether they do so using best practice. These ratings are designed to promote good asset management and encourage a preventative approach to highways maintenance. For the 2025/26 financial year, 25% of the £500 million funding increase was contingent upon local highway authorities demonstrating how they were complying with certain criteria aimed at driving best practice and improvement of highways maintenance. This included publishing transparency reports setting out how they are spending their highways maintenance funding and how they are complying with best practice, including preventative maintenance. Looking ahead, a proportion of highways maintenance funding will continue to be allocated as incentive funding, linked to authorities’ transparency and performance, to support continuous improvement across the network. The Department is also providing dedicated support to authorities, including a peer review offer for red-rated authorities. This is alongside the extension of Live Labs 2, the Department’s highways innovation programme.

Whether trains carrying Greater Manchester Bee Network branding or livery will remain rail assets of Great British Railways or the Secretary of State, rather than assets of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Livery reflects who is responsible for the service, not who owns the trains. Aside from some devolved services, where there are instances of ownership by the devolved authority, rolling stock is leased from rolling stock companies and managed day-to-day by the train operator. There is currently one Northern unit in temporary promotional Bee Network livery operating on Manchester‑area services, highlighting the forthcoming tap‑and‑go contactless integration on local rail; this is a branding exercise only and does not change ownership or leasing arrangements. As there are currently no rail services devolved to Greater Manchester, any trains operating on the GBR network would carry GBR livery rather than Bee Network branding. Through partnerships with GBR, there could be opportunities for external co-branding of rolling stock where Mayoral Strategic Authorities take a financial stake in service provision.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104872, when her Department expects to conclude its assessment of Transport for London’s proposal for Great Northern inner services.

The Department is continuing to review the proposal and is working with Transport for London to assess its benefits and wider implications, including the financial and operational impacts. No timeline for a decision has yet been set, but this work is continuing. This assessment will not affect preparations to bring Govia Thameslink Railway services into public ownership on 31 May 2026.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the (a) Court of Appeal judgment in Maritime and Coastguard Agency v Groom [2026] EWCA Civ 6 and (b) Employment Rights Act 2025 on the operational model, recruitment and retention of Coastguard Rescue Officers; and whether she plans to make changes to the (i) status and (ii) funding of HM Coastguard.

The Department and Maritime and Coastguard Agency is currently evaluating the judgment of the court of appeal and is carefully considering next steps to agree the future operational model for the Coastguard Rescue Service. This includes extensive consultation with all members of the Coastguard Rescue Service and other interested parties to determine the status and future funding model of HM Coastguard, in line with the determination. The welfare and safety of all Coastguard Rescue Officers remain our priority, and the MCA will continue to support and work with all members of the Coastguard Rescue Service recognising the impact on individuals while assessing any potential liabilities and impacts of the judgement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78707, whether her Department has made a recent updated estimate of the additional cost per passenger per flight arising from the requirement for airlines to use 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answers I gave on 20 October, 23 October and 5 November 2025 to PQs UIN78707, UIN83374 and UIN85910. The estimated costs of the requirement were assessed and published prior to the introduction of the SAF mandate in January last year. We will monitor the market to update our assumptions where necessary and to inform formal reviews.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 101850, if she will publish the British Transport Police’s crime-screening policy for pedal-cycle theft at railway stations.

The British Transport Police (BTP) Crime Screening Policy is an operational document owned by the BTP. Any decisions to publish the document are for BTP, as an operationally independent police service.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of uninsured motorcycles on UK roads in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold this information.

How she plans to determine whether appropriate bodies are assigned responsibility for the adoption and long-term maintenance of Sustainable Drainage Systems under development consent orders for port developments; and whether she has made an estimate of the cost of those requirements for applicants and public bodies.

The proposal for a revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) contains extensive guidance on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). The final version will be published in coming weeks.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the collection and analysis of data on level-crossing barrier down-time, including average duration and frequency of extended closures, on the safe operation of level crossings.

Network Rail considers available information on barrier down time as part of the risk assessments it routinely carries out for level crossings with barriers. The Office of Rail and Road, as the independent rail safety regulator for Great Britain, is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Network Rail’s management of its level crossings, including the risk assessments it undertakes, to ensure their continued safe operation.

What estimate she has made of the annual cost of extending the statutory concessionary bus travel scheme UK-wide to include all residents aged 19 and under.

The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area. 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 £795 million annually in reimbursement costs to operators. Any changes to the statutory obligations, such as expanding the eligibility criteria to include under 19’s, would need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Essex County Council will be allocated £59.3 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £17.8 million they are already receiving this year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.

What guidance will be issued to decision-makers on the application of paragraphs 4.7.34–4.7.35 of the draft National Policy Statement for Ports, including how “acceptable levels” of residual transport impact will be defined; and whether these provisions represent a change in policy from the 2012 Ports National Policy Statement.

We are currently considering the views received from consultation on, and Parliamentary scrutiny of, the draft revised NPS for Ports, and will lay a final text in due course.

What internal data Network Rail collects on level crossings, including a) barrier activation and down-time duration, b) complaints or reports from road users relating to barrier down-time, and c) overruns caused by incidents, failures, or timetable disruption; and whether any such data is shared routinely with her Department.

Network Rail collects a range of data regarding level crossings on its network, which helps inform the management of risk at each location. If there are complaints or feedback from members of the public in relation to level crossings, Network Rail has processes in place to respond to these. However, as the safety and management of level crossings are the legal responsibility of Network Rail, this information is not routinely shared with my department.