Written questions by Holden.

How many (a) new and (b) upgraded HGV parking spaces have been provided through the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund; and when each was completed.

The HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme (MFGS) was launched in 2022 to fund investment in HGV driver welfare facilities, lorry parking provision, site security, and decarbonisation. These priorities were identified through the National Survey of Lorry Parking (2022) which also provided an estimate of the shortfall in on site overnight parking spaces in England. A total of 69 projects that received funding from the MFGS have been completed to date. Window 1 – Awarded on 11 September 2023Total number of completed projects32Total number of completed projects that include new parking spaces11Total number of outstanding projects2Total number of outstanding projects that include new parking spaces1 Window 2 – Awarded on 4 March 2024Total number of completed projects32Total number of completed projects that include new parking spaces15Total number of outstanding projects4Total number of outstanding projects that include new parking spaces0 Window 3 - Awarded on 10 October 2024Total Number of completed projects5Total number of completed projects that include new parking spaces4Total Number of outstanding projects15Total Number of outstanding projects that include new parking spaces9 Overall TotalTotal number of completed projects69Total number of completed projects that include new parking spaces30Total number of outstanding Projects21Total number of outstanding projects that include new parking spaces10

What assessment her Department has made of the total cost of the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme to date; whether any underspends or project delays have been identified; and what measurable increase in zero-emission HGV adoption has resulted.

The Government has committed up to £200 million to the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) to deploy zero emission HGVs and their associated recharging and refuelling sites, most of which will be delivered by March 2026. ZEHID is making good progress with 295 of a possible 319 zero emission HGVs ordered to date (86 already delivered and in use by haulage companies) and 73 planned infrastructure locations (14 already operational). A few HGVs and infrastructure sites may be operational slightly after March 2026 and this is being carefully managed by Innovate UK, our delivery partner. All project spend is forecast to be complete by the end of the current financial year (March 2026), and while there has been some underspend against the project’s original budget, this was due to changes initiated by projects themselves as they refined approaches following original bids submitted in 2022.While ZEHID has been operational, there has been a measurable increase in zero emission HGVs, going from 478 when ZEHID launched in late 2022 to 1,158 in June 2025.

What assessment she has made of the cost of (a) electric and (b) hydrogen HGVs for small and medium-sized enterprises since July 2024; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (i) 2035 and (ii) 2040 end-of-sale dates for new diesel HGVs on (A) logistics costs and (B) delivery prices.

More needs to be done to ensure that UK haulage companies can switch to zero emission HGVs (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell). This is particularly true as most UK haulage companies are SMEs and operate on small profit margins. As more zero emission HGVs are deployed, the costs of these HGVs should begin to fall due to economies of scale in manufacturing, which when combined with running and maintenance savings, should reduce the total cost of ownership and support a second-hand market.We are supporting UK haulage companies while seeking to minimise the impact of the transition on costs and delivery prices through programmes such as the Plug in Truck Grant, the £30m Depot Charging Scheme and the up to £200m Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator.We will shortly be consulting on options for the end of sales dates for new non-zero emission HGVs and will continue to support UK hauliers with appropriate incentives and clear regulatory approach.

Whether she plans to review Net Zero transport spending priorities.

The Department for Transport’s budget for day-to-day spending until 2028-2029, and until 2029-2030 for capital investment was set in June’s Spending Review. Delivering greener, safer and healthier transport to support the Government’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050 while driving economic growth is a Departmental priority that we will deliver through a range of spend and non-spend measures. We are accelerating the transformation of existing industries, such as our automotive and maritime sectors, and supporting the growth of nascent industries here in the UK, such as sustainable aviation fuel.

What recent estimate she has made of total transport-sector emissions since July 2024; and if she will make an assessment of how that figures compares with projections made when the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate was introduced.

Transport was estimated to emit 111.8MtCO2e (megatonnes carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2023, with 78.1MtCO2e from cars and vans. The ZEV Mandate came into force in 2024; it requires that, by 2030, 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans should be fully zero emission. In 2024, the Government estimated that this policy would deliver 420MtCO2e of savings by 2050, averaging a reduction of 5.8MtCO2e between 2028 and 2032 and 15.8MtCO2e between 2033 and 2037. The emission savings estimates have been slightly reduced by the flexibilities announced in April but by less than 3% overall.

What estimate she has made of the cost per tonne of carbon dioxide reduction achieved through the Revenue Certainty Mechanism compared to other Sustainable Aviation Fuel pathways; and what assessment she has made of the value for money of this policy for taxpayers.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate is the UK’s key policy to decarbonise jet fuel, and could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings in 2040. The SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) will support investment in UK SAF production and delivery of SAF Mandate targets. The relevant greenhouse gas savings have been accounted for in the SAF Mandate’s Cost-Benefit Analysis. The Government is committed to delivering value for money. The RCM will be funded via a variable levy on aviation fuel suppliers. The Government will actively monitor and control scheme costs, including through the setting of strike prices and by controlling the scale and number of contracts awarded, and it has set out the potential costs and benefits that may arise from the RCM scheme in the Cost-Benefit Analysis, published in May 2025.

What assessment she has made of the reasons for the re-baselining of Connection Stages 2 and 3 of the East West Rail project; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Oxford–Bedford section can open to passengers before the end of the decade.

In the Spending Review in June, the Government announced £2.5bn of funding to progress the delivery of East West Rail. The Government has committed to accelerating work to deliver EWR services between Oxford-Bedford and the full Oxford-Cambridge service is subject to an application for a Development Consent Order and is planned to commence from the mid-2030s. An update will be provided on the project shortly.

With reference to the Office of Rail and Road’s 2024–25 train operator statistics, whether she plans to use the data on (a) cancellations, (b) delay minutes and (c) compensation claims as a baseline for new rigorous performance standards.

GBR will bring together track and train, and there will be a greater whole-industry focus for the growing group of public sector operators as we move towards GBR. The department will expect GBR to meet targets for punctuality, reliability, service quality and customer satisfaction, and will be required to publish its performance against these targets on a regular basis.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of (a) the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill and (b) the proposed Revenue Certainty Mechanism on average passenger air fares by 2030 and 2035; and whether passengers will be informed of any additional levies or costs arising from the scheme.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Bill provides the legislative basis for the SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM). The RCM will help producers get the investment they need to ramp up the production of SAF in the UK. The Government published a Cost Benefit Analysis for the SAF RCM in May 2025. We expect the RCM to cause ticket prices to increase or decrease by up to £1.50 on an average ticket per year, which is expected to be within the range of normal year to year changes in air fares. The Government has confirmed that the RCM will be funded via a variable levy on aviation fuel suppliers and will look to design the levy in a way that ensures transparency of costs. The Government will actively monitor and control scheme costs including through the setting of strike prices and by controlling the scale and number of contracts awarded.

Whether the Department has identified any (a) underspends, (b) extensions and (c) project delays in the delivery of funding under the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund.

Through the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme the Department and industry partners are projected to deliver up to £35.7m of joint investment to enhance truck stops across England. This significant investment is in addition to joint investment by National Highways and industry of up to a further £30 million, aimed at improving lorry parking facilities along the strategic road network. There has been no reduction in the government funding awarded through the scheme. Some operators who were awarded grants have, for a range of business and operational reasons beyond the government’s control, subsequently decided not to proceed with developments or reduced the scope of their projects. Some of the reasons operators have given have been revisions to their projects’ scope, change of ownership, restructure at board level, financial difficulties and planning permission being denied for their works. All applications that met the scheme’s criteria were approved funding by the DfT HGV Match Funding Grant Scheme. The scheme has been extended until March 2026 to allow more time for projects to be completed.

What estimate she has made of the number of UK-based sustainable aviation fuel production facilities that have commenced construction since July 2022; and how many jobs have been created through those production facilities.

Through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) the government is providing funding to support first-of-a-kind commercial and demonstration-scale SAF projects in the UK. The Government is also introducing a revenue certainty mechanism to support UK-based SAF projects secure successful final investment decisions. The Department estimates that low carbon fuels production can support up to 15,000 jobs in the UK by 2050.

What steps her Department is taking to improve rail freight access between PD Teesport and London Gateway.

Network Rail have taken steps to increase port connectivity by increasing the number of paths from both Teesport and London Gateway. Collaborative working between Network Rail, DP World and freight operators has led to capacity out of London Gateway more than doubling in the past year, increasing from 10 to 22 available paths. Launched in Summer 2024, Network Rail’s Access Charges Discount Policy offers timebound 6-month discounts on track access charges for new freight flows, whilst volumes on new services build up and become financially sustainable. In April of this year, under the Discounts Policy, a new daily service between Teesport and Doncaster was approved, releasing more capacity from the North East to South Yorkshire. In the same month, a new service from London Gateway to Tinsley commenced, running six additional trains per week.

Whether her Department plans to reintroduce development funding for rail freight enhancement schemes (a) paused and (b) cancelled after the Comprehensive Spending Review 2025.

No rail schemes were cancelled as a part of Spending Review 2025 but we had to prioritise the schemes that would have the greatest impact in supporting our missions in the shortest period, whilst maintaining an affordable and sustainable enhancements portfolio. This meant not all schemes could be progressed at this time. The Secretary of State made clear in her 8 July 2025 announcement on rail and road projects the schemes that have been prioritised for progression in the Spending Review period. A number of schemes, including potential freight schemes, some of which had been paused or cancelled prior to the Spending Review by the previous government, could not be taken forward at this time but will be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available.

Whether her Department has received updated cost estimates for Channel Tunnel container gauge clearance.

I am aware of industry proposals to enhance Kent routes to ‘W12’, in order to enable more containerised traffic from Europe, which was estimated by Network Rail to cost around £200m. Network Rail has been considering more affordable, incremental gauge clearance proposal as a step towards W12, with estimated costs below £50m. However, any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process, working with industry, and will need to clearly demonstrate demand for enhanced infrastructure.

When she plans to decide whether her Department will progress the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements scheme to the next development stage.

Secretary of State set out the schemes that have been prioritised for the Spending Review period in her 8 July announcement and made clear that other schemes would be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available. The Ely Area Capacity scheme was closed by the previous government and it has not been possible to reprioritise it at the most recent Spending Review.

What progress her Department has made on resolving clearance issues at Marle Pit on the Midland Main Line.

Following the decision to pause further electrification of the Midland Main Line, the department has been in discussion with Network Rail regarding their plans to conclude their current activities in a safe and controlled way. This has included a review of planned route clearance works in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire. As part of this review, the works at Marle Pit bridge will be replanned when funding becomes available and electrification of the route can be re-started. While this is not expected to be within the next four years, the programme is being kept under active review as part of our longer-term pipeline of schemes.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of electrifying the branch between London Gateway and Thames Haven Junction on (a) the efficiency, (b) the reliability and (c) the reduction in emissions of freights.

Initial assessments do indicate that electrifying the branch between London Gateway and Thames Haven Junction would improve the efficiency and reliability of rail freight while reducing emissions. We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and other industry partners in assessing the viability and affordability of this proposal.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of freight capacity of (a) the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements, (b) the Northallerton–Eaglescliffe Gauge Clearance and (c) other schemes identified in Network Rail’s pipeline following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Department has previously approved initial progression of development work with Network Rail on a) Ely Area Capacity and b) Northallerton-Eaglescliffe Gauge Clearance schemes, both of which identified potential for increasing the capacity for freight on the routes. These schemes and a number of c) others, were not prioritised in the Spending Review for progression at this time but will be kept under review as part of our pipeline for potential progression in future as funding becomes available. The Secretary of State set out the road and rail schemes that have been prioritised for progression in the Spending Review period 8 July 2025, which includes schemes that will have benefits for freight capacity.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Section 6.2.2. of the British Standard BS 8300-1:2018 entitled Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment, published on 31 January 2018 on the guidance entitled LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design, published on 27 July 2020.

Section 6.2.2. of British Standard 8300-1:2018 gives advice on designing bus stops in relation to cycle facilities, including what are sometimes called ‘floating bus stops’. It has the status of good practice guidance as there is no requirement in legislation to comply with it. Section 6.2.2 would in practice prevent local authorities from implementing any kind of floating bus stop. The Government does not believe that a complete ban on floating bus stops is appropriate, given the need to improve safety for cyclists and to enable more people to cycle. The Government is fully aware of the concerns raised – particularly from visually impaired people and organisations on their behalf – about floating bus stops. The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill includes a requirement for the Secretary of State to produce statutory guidance for local authorities in England on the provision and design of floating bus stops. Alongside this, the Government has committed to asking local authorities to pause certain types of shared-use design in which the cycle route runs between the kerb and the shelter, requiring people to board or alight straight into a cycle track. More information will be provided to local authorities at Royal Assent of the Bill.

Whether her Department has set limits on financial support for rail operating losses under Great British Railways.

As per the GBR consultation document, government funding for rail service provision will continue to be determined via Spending Reviews.