Written questions by Holden.

Whether the Royal Train will be treated as a Great British Railways service for the purposes of network access, charging and operational control once Great British Railways is established.

The 2024-2025 Sovereign Grant and Sovereign Grant Reserve Annual Reports and Accounts, published by the Royal Household, confirmed that the Royal Train will be decommissioned ahead of the current contract expiring in 2027, following a thorough review into its use and value for money. As such it will not become part of Great British Railways (GBR).

With reference to rail fares in England, what the average percentage change was between July 2024 and the current fares period for a) Advance fares b) First Class fares c) Super Off-Peak fares, and what methodology was used to calculate these averages.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes annual statistics measuring the change in prices charged by train operating companies to rail passengers in Great Britain. The annual statistical release is presented by sector, ticket type, class and regulated status. The rail fares index statistical release includes the methodology that the ORR uses.

What the cost was of his Department's initiatives aimed at reducing official travel emissions in 2024–25, including behavioural programmes, reporting systems and policy compliance activity.

Records are not held that identify the cost of the Department's initiatives aimed at reducing official travel emissions including behavioural programmes, reporting systems and policy compliance activity.

For what reason the portrait of William Shakespeare was removed from the Pillared Room in 10 Downing Street.

The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time. The portrait was pre-planned to be moved by the Government Art Collection prior to the General Election in July 2024.

What the total cost to the British Business Bank was in 2024–25 of policies, programmes and staffing related to net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability or the green economy, broken down by a) programme expenditure, b) staffing costs and c) consultancy and professional services.

The British Business Bank does not record or allocate its costs based on thematic categories such as net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability or the green economy. Its programme expenditure, staffing costs, and consultancy and professional services are managed and reported with reference to the programme or business line to which they relate, rather than by policy objective. For this reason, the Bank is not in a position to provide a breakdown of costs for the year 2024–25 in the format requested.

Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to banning non-stun slaughter of animals.

Regulations require that animals must be stunned prior to slaughter so that they are unconscious and insensible to pain, and the only exception is where animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

What the cost to UK Export Finance was in 2024–25 of policies, programme changes, due-diligence requirements or staffing linked to net zero, climate or sustainability objectives.

Full details of the activities undertaken by UK Export Finance (UKEF) relating to net zero, climate or sustainability objectives can be found in the UK Export Finance Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK.

What the cost to the Competition and Markets Authority was in 2024–25 of work related to net zero, sustainability or climate policy, including staff time, research, guidance and enforcement activity.

The data recorded by the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) enables it to track costs across the projects it undertakes and the functions it performs. However, it is not able from this data to accurately estimate the costs incurred in relation to thematic areas such as net zero, sustainability or climate policy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2026 to Question 101856, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Food Scanner app on people with eating disorders.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 January 2026 to Question 101856.

What estimate her Department has made of the cost of co-funding transport infrastructure associated with port developments; and what criteria will be used to determine when such co-funding is appropriate.

The UK’s ports sector is largely privately owned and operated, with the Government’s role primarily to ensure that the policy and regulatory environment supports efficient operation and investment. The Government provides targeted support where there are clear public benefits. This includes investing in road and rail connections to ports to improve the efficient and cost-effective transportation of goods and passengers. The National Wealth Fund has committed at least £5.8 billion of its capital to five sectors, including ports. This will catalyse investment in areas which are currently struggling to attract the required volumes of private investment. As set out in the Government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, transforming the UK’s infrastructure will require significant increases in private investment to complement and maximise the value of the extensive public investment underway. Government explores opportunities to co-fund transport infrastructure associated with port development on a case-by-case basis.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 101827, if she will publish the estimates of future passenger demand being used to inform strategic planning across the Essex Thameside area, including an assessment of the potential impact of proposed housing growth in Basildon Borough on c2c and Greater Anglia rail services.

Network Rail is responsible for developing estimates of passenger and freight future demand, working closely and collaboratively with train operating companies, local authorities, freight operators and other relevant stakeholders. The Eastern region planning documents, including the Essex Thameside Strategic Advice, are made available on Network Rail’s website -https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/long-term-planning/

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 101488, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing or consolidating lower-cost rail fares as part of fare simplification reforms on fare evasion.

As part of our reforms to the railways, we are making fares easier to understand, so that passengers can buy tickets with confidence, knowing they are getting the right fare every time. Under Great British Railways (GBR), passengers will enjoy a consistent, reliable offer across the entire network. Simplifying fares is intended to improve passenger confidence and reduce the likelihood of unintentional fare irregularities. Tackling fare evasion is a priority. The Secretary of State has accepted the Office for Road and Rail’s recommendations in its June 2025 review into revenue protection practices, and the Department will respond formally in due course. In light of this wider work on ticketing and fare evasion, the Department has not undertaken a separate assessment specifically on the impact of removing or consolidating lower‑cost fares on fare evasion.

Innovation and Technology, what the cost to the Intellectual Property Office was in 2024–25 of policies, programmes or staffing related to net zero, sustainability or green innovation objectives.

The Intellectual Property Office spent a total of £132,103 on policies, programmes or staffing related to net zero, sustainability or green innovation objectives in 2024-25.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 105760, if she will provide a hyperlink to that information.

The data table showing a breakdown of fatalities in reported road traffic collisions by vehicle and propulsion type (RAS0507) is published as part of the Department’s annual road casualty statistics, and can be accessed via:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#vehicles-and-drivers-ras05 .

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 105292, what funding her Department has provided directly to Community Rail Partnerships in each financial year since 2019–20; and what funding is planned for (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

The Department does not award funding directly to Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) – funding to CRPs is awarded via the Community Rail Network (CRN) and Train Operating Companies (TOCs). The CRN provide access to grants and resources for its members (a mix of CRPs and Station Adoption Groups). The Department has granted over £800,000 of funding to the CRN in this financial year (FY 2025-2026). Funding from the Department has remained at a consistent level since 2019-20. The Department will set out the funding for 2026-27 at the start of the next financial year. As we move towards establishing Great British Railways (GBR), the Community Rail movement will be integral to helping us deliver our priorities and will continue to deliver for passengers and communities. We will continue to support the community rail sector ahead of the standup of GBR.

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 22 January 2026 to Question 106337, what estimate her Department has made of the number of public electric vehicle chargepoints required to meet the 2030 target that will be delivered by the private sector.

The Department has not made an estimate of how many electric vehicle chargepoints will be delivered by the private sector. Many chargepoints are delivered through a combination of public and private sector funding. This includes the estimated 100,000 chargepoints expected to be delivered under the Government’s £400 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Scheme, which is leveraging significant private sector investment alongside public funding.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 105746, what her planned timetable is for (a) developing and (b) consulting on regulatory proposals for micromobility vehicles, including e-scooters.

As set out in our answer to question 105746, the Government has made a commitment to pursue legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows. The Government will fully assess and consult on potential regulatory requirements ahead of introducing legislation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2026 to Question 105302, whether the proposed primary legislation to enable the Regulated Asset Base model for the Lower Thames Crossing will be introduced before construction begins.

Construction enabling works for the Lower Thames Crossing have commenced north and south of the River Thames. At Autumn Budget 2025 the Government committed a further £891m to complete the publicly funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of government support to enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation. The Government's preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. New primary legislation is required to enable the RAB model to be utilised to deliver roads. We intend to bring forward legislation, when parliamentary time allows.

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.