Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether she plans to provide an interim digital rail retail solution before (a) train operating company retail websites are turned off and (b) the new Great British Railways retail offer goes live.

Once Great British Railways is established, it will retail online by consolidating individual train operators’ ticket websites. This will take place alongside a thriving private sector retail market, which will continue to play a key role in driving innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail. The Railways Bill consultation took place in the Spring. As part of this process, the Government consulted closely with industry, the private sector, and wider stakeholders including in relation to the future of the rail retail market. A formal update will be provided in due course.

Whether she plans to publish a (a) transition plan for the transfer of retail responsibilities from train operating company retail websites to Great British Railways and (b) timetable for formal market (i) consultation and (ii) tendering for future Great British Railways retail ticketing.

Once Great British Railways is established, it will retail online by consolidating individual train operators’ ticket websites. This will take place alongside a thriving private sector retail market, which will continue to play a key role in driving innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail. The Railways Bill consultation took place in the Spring. As part of this process, the Government consulted closely with industry, the private sector, and wider stakeholders including in relation to the future of the rail retail market. A formal update will be provided in due course.

What steps she has taken to improve aviation interconnectivity between the four nations of the UK.

Airports serve our local communities by supporting thousands of jobs in the regions and acting as a gateway to international opportunities, alongside maintaining social and family ties and strengthening the bonds between the four nations. The Government supports connectivity across the union through our joint-funding of three Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes into London from Newquay, Dundee and Derry/Londonderry. Furthermore, the Aviation Futures Forum, which I Co-Chair, has agreed to establish a number of working groups including one on Regional Aviation. The Group will report back to the Forum in due course.

What steps she has taken to ensure the safety of ground operations at English airports.

The safety of aviation, the travelling public and aviation workers is a priority for the government.Ground handling in the UK is transitioning to a more regulated environment to ensure that we uphold the excellent safety record of the UK aviation sector and continue to be compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. The Civil Aviation Authority is working on new Ground Handling Regulation that will be applicable at all UK Certified and Licensed Aerodromes. The development of these new rules acknowledges the important role of ground handling in keeping aviation safe for passengers and employees.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of British aviation safety standards.

Recognised international metrics show that UK airspace and airlines are amongst the safest in the world. We have an exemplary record that ensures consumer confidence and international trust in the UK’s regulatory regime. The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety. The effectiveness of the standards are maintained through robust processes in place to ensure the safety of passengers. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for aviation safety to ensure there is a harmonization of standards. As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, we are responsible for ensuring compliance of all UK aviation authorities (UKAAs) we oversee, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories. Both the DfT and the UKAAs are responsible for rulemaking processes regarding aviation safety and ensuring ICAO obligations are met.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of British railways safety standards.

Britain’s railways consistently rank among the safest in the world, partly due to the robust safety requirements established in legislation.  These requirements include the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems Safety Regulations 2006 and a range of mandatory standards, including National Technical Specification Notices, rail group standards and rail industry standards, which are enforced by the independent railway safety regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).  The effectiveness of the regulatory regime for Great Britain’s railways was reflected in the ORR’s latest annual health and safety report published on 17 July 2025, which found that safety levels on the network remain high.  The Government keeps rail safety regulations under regular review, including by undertaking post-implementation reviews with industry, to ensure they remain fit for purpose and up to date.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of commuters at (a) overground and (b) underground railway stations in England.

All rail operators and infrastructure owners, including those responsible for overground and underground railway stations, have statutory duties to ensure the safety of those using and working on the railways, including by managing issues such as crowding. These duties are set out in The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 (ROGS) and are supplemented by other health and safety laws. These laws, which are enforced by the independent railway safety regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, give the UK one of the safest railways in Europe.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle the use of cloned vehicle registration plates.

The Government understands how distressing this criminal activity can be for innocent motorists. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime, including the use of cloned number plates. The law requires that anyone who supplies number plates for road use in the UK must be registered with the DVLA. It is a legal requirement for suppliers to carry out checks to ensure that number plates are only sold to those who can prove they are entitled to the registration number. Number plate suppliers must also keep records of the plates they have supplied. The DVLA assists the police and Trading Standards in their enforcement against number plate suppliers who trade illegally. When notified, the DVLA will investigate and pass on intelligence to the police who are responsible for investigating this criminal matter.

What assessment she has made of the impact of regulation on small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel; and whether she plans to simplify relevant processes.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 23/06/2025, to Question UIN 60297.

What steps she has taken with relevant authorities to improve the safety of train drivers in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

Ensuring the continued safety of train drivers across the national rail network remains a priority for my department. Train operators are subject to strict legal duties, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), to ensure that the train drivers they employ can work in safety. My department works closely with the ORR, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and the wider rail industry to keep these measures under review and to identify areas for improvement. This has included supporting research to improve the industry’s understanding of issues such as fatigue management and access to welfare facilities and the development of improved standards and guidance to codify best practice.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the safety of bus drivers in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The government have introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill which focuses on delivering safe, more reliable bus networks. The Bill sets requirements for mandatory training on how to recognise and respond appropriately to incidents of criminal and anti-social behaviour, on buses for staff, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public or with issues related to the travelling public. Provisions in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill would also give all local transport authorities (LTAs) the power to make bus byelaws, which can be enforced by local authority officers on vehicles and at bus stations and stops. This, combined with targeted enforcement should lead to safer networks. Transport Safety Officers or Transport Safety and Enforcement Officers are also already operating in some areas.All LTAs in England are required to publish Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) with information on how they intend to improve services in their area. LTAs have been informed that BSIPs should include plans on how LTAs and local bus operators will work together to ensure that bus services are safe and perceived to be safe by all. This may include measures such as appropriate passenger safety training for bus drivers to deal with emergency situations on or off the bus and encouraging bus operators to liaise with local police and other stakeholders to address safety concerns.

What steps she has taken to support the (a) safety and (b) financial viability of black taxi drivers in London.

The taxi industry in London is the direct responsibility of Transport for London, including considering the safety and costs to drivers as part of their regulatory regime. The Department for Transport has supported the work of TfL and other licensing bodies by providing the “Taxis and private hire vehicles licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities” which is clear that licensing authorities must consider ways to protect those working in the trade as well as those that use its services. In addition, DfT has provided funding of over £75m to support with the cost of purchasing over 10,500 zero emission capable taxis through the Plug in Taxi Grant.

Whether her Department is taking steps with the Mayor of London to help mitigate residential noise pollution from (a) the London Underground and (b) associated maintenance works.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are responsible for the operation and maintenance of London Underground, including assessment of noise generated and any necessary mitigations.

What steps she has taken to work with the devolved Administrations to increase transport connectivity between the four Home Nations.

While transport is largely a devolved responsibility for the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport is working with its counterparts to improve transport connectivity across the UK.As recommended by the Union Connectivity Review, the UK government funded three rail feasibility studies in Northern Ireland looking at electrification, re-opening closed railway lines and improving access to airports. The UK Government also funded three studies focused on improving the North Wales Transport Corridor to completion and is funding Transport Scotland’s A75 feasibility study to explore options to bypass Springholm and Crocketford.Separately, the UK Government subsidises flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport through a Public Service Obligation.This Government is establishing Great British Railways (GBR) which will be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body. GBR will work closely with the Devolved Governments where responsibilities are devolved and will provide the integrated and long-term thinking the rail sector needs to grow and support the UK economy. GBR will be established in early 2027, subject to the Railways Bill achieving Royal Assent. We will continue to work, where appropriate, with the Devolved Governments to improve transport outcomes for all people of the UK.

Whether her Department plans to mandate that learner drivers have practiced driving on motorways prior to taking a driving test.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has no current plans to mandate that all learner drivers must undertake motorway driving prior to their driving test, for several key reasons.Not all learners have convenient access to motorways, with many candidates living in rural or remote areas where the nearest motorway may be some distance away. Requiring all candidates to drive on a motorway would risk creating an unfair barrier to test readiness and accessibility.While motorway driving is valuable, the practical driving test already includes a strong focus on high-speed driving environments. Dual carriageways, which can present even greater risk due to variable traffic flows, mixed vehicle types, and more frequent junctions, are included in test routes, wherever possible. They provide critical opportunities to assess a candidate’s ability to manage higher speeds and complex traffic situations.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the safety of domestic air travel.

The Department for Transport is committed to maintaining the highest standards for aviation safety. The DfT chaired State Safety Board (SSB) oversees UK Aviation Authorities and works to improve UK aviation safety. It identifies and mitigates safety risks to achieve our safety objectives that are: as a minimum, no accidents involving commercial air transport that result in serious injuries or fatalities, and no serious injuries or fatalities to third parties as a result of aviation activities. We will shortly be publishing the UK State Safety Programme (SSP) which sets out these functions and an overview of how we oversee the UK aviation system. The UK Aviation Authorities includes the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Isle of Man CAA, Channel Islands CAA, Gibraltar CAA, and Air Safety Support International (ASSI) which has oversight of the Overseas Territories. The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is also the designated independent body for accident and serious incident investigation across the UK Aviation Authorities. The AAIB drives safety improvements through reports and recommendations. Furthermore, the Department engages across the aviation industry to develop informed policies that are both responsive to industry needs and capable of advancing safety. The International Civil Aviation Organisation set the global standards for aviation safety, and the UK participates in the development of standards and recommended practices to continually improve global aviation safety.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce fatalities involving young drivers in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to take steps both to reduce and prevent collisions, and the powers to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, taking account of the relevant legislation and official guidance. My Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course. We absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads, and we are exploring options to tackle the root causes of this.

Whether her Department plans to lower the drink drive limit in England.

The Government is considering policy options in respect of motoring offences, including around drink and drug driving. Details will follow in due course.

Whether her Department plans to mandate a defined minimum learning period before learner drivers can take their test.

We are considering measures and assessing their potential impacts to tackle the root causes of young and novice driver collisions. We will set out more details in due course.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce drug or alcohol linked fatalities on roads in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced. THINK!, the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, works closely with local authority partners and the police to align on road safety campaign activity. In November 2024, THINK! launched a new drink driving campaign that highlighted the risks of losing your licence after drinking even a little before driving. The Government is considering policy options in respect of motoring offences, including around drink and drug driving. Details will follow in due course.