Written questions by Morris.

How many officials in her Department are employed to oversee the work of (a) Shadow GBR (b) HS2 Ltd and (c) train operating companies.

Shadow GBR consists of the three leaders of Network Rail, DfT Operator Limited (DfTO), and the Department for Transport’s Rail Services Group working together with the Chair, Laura Shoaf CBE. At present seven officials in the Department are employed to mobilise these arrangements (with some working on SGBR alongside other priorities). As at January 2025, there are approximately 175 officials in DfT's Major Rail Projects Group, which has responsibility for developing and sponsoring the delivery of HS2, the Euston programme, Northern Powerhouse Rail and future network planning. Within the Department’s markets teams there are 113 officials overseeing the rail franchise contracts.

When Network Rail plans to announce the preferred bidder for Project Reach.

Subject to the Project Reach business case going through DfT approval, Network Rail plans to announce the parties involved in any contract signature. Neos Networks has, however, separately made an announcement on their website stating they are in exclusive talks with Network Rail.

If she will make an assessment of the value for money of Network Rail’s signalling framework contracts.

Network Rail is responsible for the frameworks governing train signalling systems. In April 2024, Network Rail announced a £4bn, 10-year signalling framework - the Train Control Systems Framework (TCSF). The framework runs from 2024 until 2034 of which £3bn will be spent on digital signalling (ETCS) and £1bn on conventional signalling. The framework is one of the remedies published by Network Rail in response to the market study conducted by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to provide value for money through cost, quality and innovation. ORR holds Network Rail to account for the delivery of its operations, support, maintenance, and renewals programmes. As the Digital Signalling Portfolio is included in the ORR’s final determination of Network Rail’s renewals funding, ORR will carry out monitoring of this portfolio of works during Control Period 7 (CP7). More details about the frameworks can be found on the Network Rail website. Network Rail’s £4bn train control systems framework to revolutionise signalling across Britain.

What the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s annual budget was in each year between 2018-19 and 2024-25.

The MCA’s annual budget each year from 2018/19 – 2024/25 as follows: SourceResource Budget £Capital Budget £Total Budget £2024-2025Parliamentary Main Supply Estimate443,73521,842465,5772023-2024Parliamentary Supply Estimate416,59439,479456,0732022-2023Parliamentary Supply Estimate416,16838,401454,5692021-2022Parliamentary Supply Estimate389,89161,184451,0752020-2021Parliamentary Supply Estimate376,69343,171419,8642019-2020Parliamentary Supply Estimate365,27316,327381,6002018-2019Parliamentary Supply Estimate349,05511,866360,921

What recent discussions she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on enforcement of the Seafarers Wages Act 2023.

Officials from the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have regular meetings to discuss enforcement of the Seafarers’ Wages Act 2023. Department for Transport officials held a training session for Maritime and Coastguard Agency inspectors on the requirements of the legislation in November 2024.

When she expects the Marine Accident Investigation Branch to publish its report into the loss of a crew member on the Liberian flagged drill rig jack up vessel Valaris 121 on 22 January 2023.

The Liberian registered Valaris 121, a mobile drilling rig, was under tow outside United Kingdom territorial waters when the accident took place. In line with the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code (the Code), as the flag State of the vessel, the Liberian Registry’s Marine Investigations Department has commenced an investigation. As this accident involved a UK national, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has declared itself a substantially interested state under the Code and has provided assistance to the Liberian investigation where required. Once their investigation is complete the Liberian authorities will publish a report into the accident.

When she plans to convene the next meeting of the Department for Transport’s Freight Council.

Our ambition is for the Freight Council to bring leaders from the freight and logistics sector together with government to agree priorities and actions, so that freight plays its full part in growing our economy. We have been considering the best Council ...

Pursuant to Answer of 11 November 2024 to Question12278 on Rolling Stock, whether a rolling stock strategy will be published before the establishment of Great British Railways.

The Department for Transport is developing a Rolling Stock Strategy. This will align with the wider objectives of the industry in ending the current variability in production rates and ensuring a stable pipeline of work for the rolling stock supply chain....

What guidance her Department issues on the powers available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to (i) remove and (ii) seize a vehicle parked on a public highway that does not have a valid MOT.

The Department for Transport does not issue such guidance. The police can check if a vehicle has a valid MOT by using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and conducting random stops, and they are able to seize a vehicle without a valid MOT. ...

What guidance her Department issues on the powers available to (a) local authorities and (b) the police to (i) remove and (ii) seize a vehicle parked on a public highway that does not have valid insurance.

The Government takes uninsured driving very seriously and is determined to see a reduction in this offence. Since 2005, the police have had the power to seize vehicles that are being driven without insurance and as of 2020, two million vehicles had been s...

What progress his Department has made on (a) the Folkestone to Wembley Rail Freight route and (b) adopting the gauge to W12 for cross-channel rail freight.

The Government fully supports the growth of international rail freight through the Channel Tunnel, recognising its economic and environmental potential. Under our plans to deliver the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation, Great British Railway...

What progress has been made on Network Rail's Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy.

The Department for Transport took account of Network Rail’s Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy which was previously used as guidance. However, with developments in the technology available, we are working with Network Rail, the Great British Railwa...

What progress has been made on the Government's Rail freight Growth Strategy.

The Secretary of State has tasked Shadow Great British Railways leaders with producing a delivery plan for both passengers and freight users. The Secretary of State for Transport will place a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of...

What progress has been made on Great British Railways Decarbonisation plan.

The Department for Transport is working with the rail industry, notably Network Rail, the Great British Railways Transition Team, and rolling stock manufacturers and leasing companies to develop credible long-term plans for decarbonisation; whilst Network...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s targets to improve railway adhesion in Control Period 7 between 2024 and 2029.

Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Appro...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s management of railway adhesion in Control Period 6 between 2019 and 2024.

Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Appro...

What recent discussions she has had with (a) shipowners, (b) training providers and (c) trade unions on the provision of maritime apprenticeships.

The UK must continue to be at the leading edge of maritime skills and provide a world-class education to benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is why DfT officials are engaging ...

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the provision of maritime apprenticeships.

The UK must continue to be at the leading edge of maritime skills and provide a world-class education to benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is why DfT officials are engaging ...

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6029 on Railways: Passengers, if he will publish those forecasts.

The Department develops and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts. These are published when appropriate to evidence policy decisions.

Which consular representatives from his Department attended the Innotrans rail trade convention in Berlin between Tuesday 24 and Friday 27 September 2024.

The official delegation from my department which attended InnoTrans in Berlin between 24 and 26 September was led by the Director for Rail International, Integration and Security.