Written questions by Holden.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage garage and repair networks to offer (a) accessible and (b) affordable (i) battery health testing and (ii) other maintenance services for owners of electric vehicles.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has endorsed the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) TechSafe scheme, which helps to ensure technicians have the skills they need to safely repair an electric vehicle (EV). It also allows consumers to access a register to find their nearest EV competent technician. According to the IMI, 64,700 technicians are already qualified to work on an EV. This represents 26% of all technicians in the UK. The Department for Transport has also worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, the regulation would require that vehicles provide easily accessible, accurate and comparable information about the battery's state of health. The Government aims to consult on options for the implementation of GTR No.22 in the UK later this year.

What steps she plans to take to speed up the roll out electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The Government is working with stakeholders, including industry, to accelerate the rollout of chargepoints. We have recently published a call for evidence which aims to gather views on how we can reform the planning system to make EV charging rollout easier, quicker and cheaper. The Government’s £381m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund supports local authorities in England to work with industry and transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking.

What plans her Department has to support buyers of second-hand electric vehicles.

Used battery electric vehicle (EV) sales are growing rapidly. According to industry statistics, in 2024 the number of used EVs sold grew 57% compared to 2023. Growth is expected to continue as more and more EVs come onto the used market in the coming years. The Government will continue to work closely with industry to monitor the health of the used market and residual values. We keep all policies under review, to ensure the EV transition takes place in an equitable and fair manner.

What progress her Department has made on implementing a standardised battery health certification scheme for electric vehicles.

The Department for Transport has worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, the regulation would set standards on the lifespan of a battery and its minimum durability. It would also ensure that information about electric vehicle batteries is easily accessible, accurate and comparable. The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK and aims to consult on these plans later this year. In the meantime, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate requires all new electric vehicles to be sold with a warranty that includes battery replacement if capacity falls below 70% in the first 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.

Whether appointments to the Passenger Standards Authority will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council.

The public consultation on the railways bill closed in April 2025 and explored options for a new passenger watchdog. We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and will publish a response in due course. As with any public body, the appropriate rules for appointments will be followed. We would therefore expect the new watchdog to be included on the Public Appointments Order in Council; and, for appointments to the board to be subject to the governance code on public appointments and regulated by the commissioner for public appointments.

Whether she has made an assessment of Network Rail's compliance with his Department's guidance entitled Rules on lobbying for Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

As a Non-Departmental Public Body, Network Rail is subject to Cabinet Office rules which prohibit attendance at party conferences and the use of consultancies for lobbying activities. I have received assurances from Network Rail that they adhere to the guidelines.

Whether she plans to review the civil resilience of Heathrow airport.

UK aviation operates in the private sector. Therefore, the resilience and contingency plans in place are the responsibility of the industry. However, we recognise the importance of aviation to critical national infrastructure, and our ability to travel and do business. The Energy Secretary has commissioned an urgent investigation which will help to build a clear picture of the circumstances surrounding the recent incident at Heathrow, and the UK’s energy resilience more broadly, so that it’s prevented from ever happening again. Heathrow Airport has also announced an internal review by Ruth Kelly, former Transport Secretary and an independent member of Heathrow's board. This review will be presented to Heathrow’s board in May.

Whether appointments to Great British Railways will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the Chair will be classified as a Significant Appointment.

After the Railways Bill is scrutinised by Parliament, and as part of the design of Great British Railways, we will consider whether to propose an amendment to the Public Bodies Order in Council. We expect that the GBR Chair will be classed as a significant appointment.Parliament will have an opportunity to scrutinise GBR’s duties when the bill is taken through Parliament later this session.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve trade links between Northern Ireland and the channel ports.

The Department for Transport is supporting Great Britain–Northern Ireland maritime freight connectivity through implementation of the Windsor Framework to streamline goods movement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19468 on Special Escort Group, on what statutory basis the police are able to (a) stop and direct traffic and (b) exceed speed limits in non-emergency situations.

Powers for police to stop and direct traffic are set out in sections 35, 37 and 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.The exemption for speed is set out in section 87(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The exemption to speed does not require there to be an emergency to apply; the relevant requirements are that:The vehicle is being used for police purposes, andCompliance with the speed limit would be likely to hinder the purpose to which the vehicle is being put at the relevant time.

What plans her Department has for the replacement of the overhead lines on the C2C train route.

The renewal of overhead lines on the c2c route will require significant investment. Network Rail is making plans to secure the funding in future control periods.

What steps she is taking to help tackle pavement parking.

In 2020, the Department undertook a public consultation on options for changing the way pavement parking is managed outside London. Our plan is to publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy. The formal consultation response will be available to view at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/managing-pavement-parking

With reference to his the Prime Minister’s comments on BBC Newscast on 12 October 2024, when did the Government's view on P&O change.

The Government has been working at pace to fulfil the commitments we made in opposition to improve workers’ rights at sea. The Employment Rights Bill includes a measure to close a loophole by ensuring that the UK Government is notified of intended redundancies irrespective of a vessel’s flag state. We will also, via amendment during the bill’s passage, introduce powers to allow the UK to strengthen workers’ rights at sea and implement international conventions relating to seafarer employment. We have now laid regulations to implement the Seafarers’ Wages Act so that from next month the National Minimum Wage equivalent will be paid.

What information her Department holds on the number and proportion of buses operating in London that were made in the UK.

The Department does not hold information on the number or proportion of buses operating in London that were made in the UK.

Whether she has made an recent assessment of the potential merits of extending the plug-in grant for vans.

The plug-in van grant has been in place since 2012 to help reduce up-front purchase costs, supporting almost 90,000 zero emission vans and heavy goods vehicles across the UK. Plug-in vehicle grants will continue for vans, trucks, motorcycles, taxis and wheelchair accessible vehicles until at least the end of the current financial year.

If she will publish advice for local transport authorities on best practice for on-street charging.

To support best practice in local charging infrastructure strategy and delivery, including on-street, the Government has funded local authority electric vehicle (EV) officers and a dedicated EV infrastructure training course. These officers receive expert advice and guidance through a central support body and can access extensive information via a regularly updated online EV knowledge repository. The Government will continue to publish further guidance for local authorities on EV charging as required.