Written questions by Huq.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) Community and Environment Fund and (b) Business and Local Economy Fund in supporting communities affected by HS2 works in the London Borough of Ealing; if she will review the potential impact of restrictions that limit local authorities to submitting a maximum of two bids to those Funds at a time on the London Borough of Ealing, in the context of the remaining level of funding available for London as a whole; and what steps she is taking to ensure that people in the London Borough of Ealing are able to access a level of funding that is proportionate to the level of HS2 disruption in that Borough.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that all ‘line of route’ communities affected by HS2 construction, including those in the London Borough of Ealing, receive a fair share of funding through the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF). Whilst there is no specific allocation for London as a whole, the funds are managed in a way that ensures a proportionate balance across the whole HS2 route. Awards are recorded online at: https://hs2funds.org.uk/home/projects-funded-by-hs2-funds/ The London Borough of Ealing is a priority area for funding. HS2 Ltd and the fund administrators, Groundwork UK, have carried out community engagement in the borough to promote availability of funding and to date 18 projects have been approved, totalling over £753,000 of investment. In the interests of ensuring that there is a fair and inclusive spread of projects there are limits on the number of applications any one organisation can make to the funds. However, local authorities play an important role in delivering outcomes supported by CEF and BLEF and greater flexibility is provided to these organisations. Currently Ealing Council has five live awards and has been granted permission to submit two further applications.

Whether HS2 plans to revisit the allocation of strategic funding to the London Borough of Ealing.

HS2 Ltd continues to meet its commitment to fund any new financial burdens on LB Ealing as a result of the HS2 project, and is also funding a dedicated officer post. On top of this, people in Ealing continue to benefit from HS2’s Community and Environment Fund and Business and Local Economy Fund. So far, these have funded projects worth £720,000 in Ealing. There is also a HS2 Road Safety Fund and Highway Deterioration Fund available to Ealing. Ealing has recently applied for its full allocation from the Road Safety Fund. HS2 Ltd is not funded to make additional financial contributions to Ealing over and above these, and the other commitments agreed during the passage of the hybrid Bill.

What steps she is taking to secure capital investment in sustainable aviation fuel.

We are supporting investments in UK sustainable aviation fuel “SAF” production facilities through the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF). We extended this funding for a further year through the Autumn Budget, investing an additional £63 million, and the Spending Review 2025 will continue support for SAF production in the UK to 2029/30.In addition to providing grant funding under the AFF our SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism. This mechanism will help unlock investment in UK SAF production and grow this emerging sector.We are also encouraging the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels in the UK through a SAF Mandate. The mandate, one of the first pioneering policies of its kind, came into force on 1st January 2025 and increases investor certainty by building domestic demand for SAF.

What steps her Department is taking to support medical training for transport staff.

In the UK, there are well-established legal requirements to support medical training for transport staff and those in safety-critical roles. These statutory duties apply to all employers and include the provision of appropriate training to staff to manage the risks associated with the environment and operations in which they work. My Department will keep these legal requirements under review to ensure they remain fit for purpose. The transport industry will also continue to produce and update guidance to inform the training needs of its workforce including on medical matters.

What steps her Department is taking with local authorities to make public transport more affordable.

Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services is one of the government’s top priorities and we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is investing over £150 million to deliver a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025 to help millions access better opportunities and promote greater bus use by passengers. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new fares initiatives, introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

What the cost to the public purse was of spending on railway station lift maintenance in (a) 2014 and (b) 2024.

Network Rail reported that in 2013/14 it spent £4.2 million maintaining 1127 lift assets, compared to £8.3 million in 2023/24 to maintain 1516 lift assets.

How many (a) underground and (b) overground railway station lifts were in place in (a) 2014 and (b) 2024.

The Department does not hold this information as transport in London is devolved to the Mayor, and TfL is responsible for managing the London Underground and the London Overground.

What data her Department holds on the number of days when lifts were out of service at (a) underground and (b) overground stations in (i) 2014 and (ii) 2024.

The Department does not hold this information as transport in London is devolved to the Mayor, and TfL is responsible for managing the London Underground and the London Overground.