Written questions by Mayhew.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of (a) the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime, (b) rising fuel prices and (c) other increased transport costs on tourism to the Isle of Wight.

As set out in the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, emissions pricing is a vital policy to decarbonise the sector, and the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to domestic maritime was assessed on a scheme wide basis. The Impact Assessment concluded that the policy is not expected to materially affect the competitiveness of ports or operators. The UK ETS Maritime regime will be reviewed in 2028.The Government recognises the importance of ferry services to the Isle of Wight and continues to engage closely with cross-Solent ferry operators to understand impacts of fuel prices and other costs on businesses and tourism in the area.

With reference to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Serbia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to frontline rail staff responsible for passenger information and safety critical communications.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 120881, when Network Rail will write to the Rt. Hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 123167 on British Transport Police: Finance, what proportion and monetary value of the British Transport Police’s budget is recovered from (a) Train Operating Companies, (b) Network Rail, and (c) other rail industry bodies in the most recent financial year for which figures are available.

In the most recent year for which figures are available (2025/26), the total British Transport Police budget was £418.5 million. Of this, £392.4 million was funded by the rail industry through Police Service Agreements (PSAs), with a further £26.1 million provided through grants and Enhanced Police Service Agreements (EPSAs).The proportions and values funded by the rail industry were:A) Train Operating Companies, including Transport for London and operators in the devolved administrations: £256.2 million (61.2% of total funding).B) Network Rail: £138.7 million (33.1% of total funding, including EPSA funding).C) Other PSA holders and operators: £7.8 million (1.8% of total funding).The remaining just under 4% of BTP’s total funding was provided through grants for specific programmes or projects by DfT or other government departments.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 Apr 2026 to Question 127105, what the outcomes of each of the Rail Engagement Group's meetings were; and whether her Department plans to take steps as a result.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, (a) what the purpose was of each flight to Bahrain; (b) which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; (c) how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; (d) what the cost was of each visit; and (e) whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (i) conducted remotely and (ii) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, (a) what the purpose was of each flight to Bangladesh; (b) which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; (c) how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; (d) what the cost was of each visit; and (e) whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (i) conducted remotely and (ii) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Vietnam; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Serbia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Taiwan; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

How many driving examiners a) ceased to and b) started to practice in i) March and ii) April 2026.

On 31 March 2026, the Driver and Vehicle Service Agency (DVSA) had 1,604 full-time equivalent driving examiners (DE), the highest number since 2018 and 188 more DEs than on 30 April 2025. The table below shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) driving examiners (DE) who left DVSA and how many people successfully completed the training process in March 2026. The data for those leaving DVSA includes all DEs who have left including, for example, people were unsuccessful in completing the training process.DEs leaving DVSA in March 2026People successfully completing the training process in March 202616.82 FTE48 Data for April 2026 will be available in May 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2026 to Question 123864 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, if she will provide a breakdown of the funding allocated at (a) Autumn Budget 2024, (b) Spending Review 2025 and (c) Autumn Budget 2025 by (i) support for electric vehicle uptake and (ii) investment in charging infrastructure.

The funding breakdown is as follows:Autumn Budget 2024: £120 million for zero emission vehicle uptake and £200 million for charging infrastructure.Spending Review 2025: £1.4 billion for zero emission vehicle uptake and £400 million for charging infrastructure.Autumn Budget 2025: £1.3 billion for zero emission vehicle uptake and £200 million for charging infrastructure.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March to Question 121936, when her Department expects work to be completed on the transport poverty tool.

The Department for Transport is actively working with other government departments, local authorities and academics to undertake the necessary development work for the transport poverty tool and to understand where it could be most effective in decision-making. A decision on a release date has not yet been taken.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122888, whether her Department has set a timetable for the further work required to develop plans for a North–South line between Birmingham and Manchester.

The Northern Growth Strategy set out the Government’s intention to ultimately deliver a full North-South new line between Birmingham and Manchester. Further work will be carried out in collaboration with local partners on what will be delivered and when, but we expect the delivery timelines for this line to follow the completion of HS2 and NPR.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120894, how many meetings of the Rail Engagement Group have taken place since its establishment.

The Secretary of State established the Rail Engagement Group in October 2025, and since then it has held three meetings.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122307, whether her Department plans to collect data from local authorities on roads awaiting adoption.

The Department does not currently plan to collect data from local authorities on roads awaiting adoption. However, it has commissioned research to improve understanding of adoption rates and is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which has consulted on related issues, to support a coordinated cross‑government approach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 119456, when the East West Rail Spring consultation will take place.

The East West Rail spring consultation was published on 14th April and will run until 9th June 2026.

How many and what proportion of rail journeys used fully digital tickets in each month since January 2026 up to and including the most recent month for which figures are available.

The approximate proportion of tickets fulfilled as Digital Tickets for February and March 2026 are: Feb-26Mar-26Digital87%101m88%115mNon-Digital13%15m12%15m

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122316, whether Network Rail plans to publish the further timetabling analysis and modelling referred to in that Answer; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

The Department has worked extensively with Network Rail and stakeholders on development and design of a scheme to deliver a third line between York North Throat and Skelton Junction. The scheme remains under review to ensure it can be delivered in the most effective way as part of a holistic strategy of investment.