Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 125 · Department for Transport
What steps has she taken to remove the tree guards from dead saplings along the A14.
As part of its planned maintenance activities including replanting new trees, adding nutrients to the soil and grass cutting, National Highways will begin removing both redundant biodegradable and plastic tree guards adjacent to A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon scheme. National Highways has scheduled this work to start this month (March 2026).
What steps is she taking to help improve the condition of roads built on peatland within the Cambridgeshire fens.
To support local highway authorities in the maintenance of their highway networks, the Government has confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority will be eligible for £188 million in highways maintenance funding over this period. The Government’s record investment over the next four years builds on an investment of £1.6 billion nationally this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to the previous financial year.
What progress she has made in implementing nationwide E-HGV charging infrastructure.
Through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, Government has already provided £120 million of funding to kickstart the deployment of zero emission HGV infrastructure. This is funding 73 planned infrastructure locations, representing over 360 chargers. The Government is further supporting the installation of charging equipment at depots through the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme. We will set out further detail in a zero emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy in due course.
When she plans to provide an answer to Question 106659.
The Department has answered Question 106659 on 24 February 2026.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact on UK security of the inclusion of BYD Company Limited on the recent update to the “Entities Identified as Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States in Accordance with Section 1260H of the William M. (“Mac”) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283)1".
As part of the National Security Strategy the Government is implementing new measures to make the UK a harder target for actors who seek to exploit our open, democratic society. This includes bolstering our cyber and economic security defences.For example, the national security powers in the Procurement Act 2023 allow the Government to exclude suppliers from public sector procurement, terminate their public contracts and debar them from future ones. These powers target risk from individual suppliers—not specific countries—and will be used proportionately based on the threat posed.
What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the potential future domestic application of the Advanced sustainable fuel technology being used in Formula 1.
The Government recognises the contribution that advanced sustainable fuels make. Such fuels must deliver significant carbon savings and meet stringent sustainability criteria. Where they meet criteria, advanced sustainable fuels are eligible for support through either the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation or the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate. The Secretary of State will soon be meeting the President and CEO of Formula 1 to learn more about Formula 1’s fuels programme and any potential wider application of that technology alongside electrification in the Government’s strategy to decarbonise transport.
What steps she has taken to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 to support the use of beyond-line-of-sight drones by police forces.
The are currently no plans to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 in relation to police drone operations because non-military state drone operations such as those undertaken by police forces and performed in the public interest are already exempt from the Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139). They still must adhere to some key provisions of the ANO to maintain aviation safety for other air users and the public.The Future of Flight programme prioritises the early adoption of drones for the delivery of public services such as the police, health, and fire and rescue.
Pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2026 to question 103968 on High Speed 2 Line: Compulsory Purchase, how many of the 1,723 properties managed were acquired via compulsory purchase.
The majority of land and property that is acquired by compulsory purchase is not held in management or let but is utilised for the construction of the railway. Within HS2 Ltd’s managed portfolio, there are 73 properties (inclusive of residential, commercial and agricultural and forestry land) that were acquired via compulsory purchase. Further to this, there are 732 properties that were acquired via Statutory Blight, which can be considered to be under the umbrella of compulsory purchase, as this is a statutory provision whereby the issuing of a blight notice by the property owner compels the Secretary of State to acquire the property under the same terms as if a Notice to Treat had been served.
How much is received annually in rental income from the 782 properties purchased along the route of HS2.
In financial year 2024/25, a total of 1,723 properties were managed within the HS2 Managed Property Portfolio along the route of HS2 Phase 1 and the former Phase 2. This included residential, commercial, agricultural, forestry and wayleave interests, which collectively generated an annual rental income of £24 million. This income was fully used to offset the costs of managing properties acquired for HS2. Annual rental income naturally fluctuates as the proportion of tenanted properties changes over time.
What assessment has she made of the potential vulnerability to being disabled of Chinese-origin buses that are reliant upon sim connection for software upgrades.
The Government takes national security seriously and recognises the systematic challenges of increased connectivity and the cyber security implications for almost every area of government policy, including vehicles. The Department works closely with the transport sector and other government departments to understand and respond to cyber vulnerabilities for all transport modes.
What discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on the potential impact of the cost of the Piccadilly Line renovation on TfL's finances.
Government announced a £2.2bn investment over the next four years for TfL at the Spending Review. This multi-year settlement marks the largest Government capital contribution to London's transport infrastructure in over a decade and is in addition to £485m delivered at the Budget in 2024. As transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London, it is for him and TfL to assess the merits and financial impacts of capital projects and make decisions on investment including upgrades to the Piccadilly Line.
How many Chinese BYD electric buses are in service across the UK by franchise operator.
My Department does not hold this information. For information on how many electric BYD buses have been licensed overall, please see the DVLA statistics – table VEH0133. (Vehicle licensing statistics data tables – GOV.UK)
By what date she plans to complete the review into airport funding.
There is no current review into airport funding.
What assessment she has made of the feasibility of new terminals for the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport being built and operated in competition with those run by the airport.
Information about terminals and other airport infrastructure would be provided as part of a development consent order application.
What the deadline is for the submission of a development consent application for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
It will be for scheme promoters to decide when to submit a development consent order application for a third runway scheme.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact on airline ticket prices from Heathrow Airport of the need to fund the public consultation process for the proposed third runway.
The Government is committed to delivering a third runway at Heathrow in a cost-effective way. The Civil Aviation Authority have launched a consultation on their working paper of regulatory options in their role as the independent economic regulator for the aviation industry. They propose several criteria for assessing future regulatory models, including how effective these options are in keeping costs for the travelling public low. Aviation operates predominantly in the private sector, with ticket prices determined by many factors including competition between airlines.
What is the projected total cost of a third runway at Heathrow, including the consultation process; and who will be responsible for funding the planning and construction.
The Government has been clear that any expansion at Heathrow must be affordable and firmly in the interests of passengers. The costs of the scheme, should be kept to a minimum and met through private funding, including any associated surface-transport requirements.Whilst we have set out our ambition to move at pace, decisions on construction and operational costs are ultimately a matter for the scheme promoter. Scheme promoters are responsible for any consultation in relation to their DCO application in accordance with Planning Act 2008 requirements.
What assessment she has made of the National security risk posed by (a) ownership and (b) investment by Chinese companies in Heathrow Airport.
The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately. For any new qualifying investments in sensitive sectors, which include transport, we will use the powers in the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of the Chinese market share of the electric vehicle market on risks to national security.
The Government is closely monitoring China's role in the automotive industry and UK electric vehicle (EV) market, including potential risks to national security.
What assessment she has made of the impact of (a) ownership and (b) investment in Heathrow Airport by Chinese companies.
The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately. For any new qualifying investments in sensitive sectors, which include transport, we will use the powers in the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security.