Westminster Hall debateWestminster HallWednesday, 3 June 202616:00

Role of rail freight in the transport network

Backbench debate (separate chamber, no votes)

This Westminster Hall debate examines the role of rail freight in the UK transport network. The discussion will explore how freight moved by rail can support the wider economy, reduce road congestion, and lower carbon emissions compared to road haulage. The debate considers what barriers exist to greater use of rail freight and what policy or investment changes might help.

Rail freight carries strategic importance for meeting net-zero commitments, managing congestion on motorways and major routes, and supporting supply chains across manufacturing and retail. The outcome could influence how government prioritises rail investment and whether new support mechanisms are needed to make rail freight more competitive against road transport.

Transport Economy & Jobs (General)Environment

MPs most likely to speak

Robbie MooreConservative and Unionist Party

Keighley and Ilkley

Shadow Environment — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on transport, economy-jobs, environment (405 times, 40pts); Known positions: environment: opposed, agriculture: opposed, agriculture: questioning (30pts)Voting record

Simon LightwoodLabour and Co-operative Party

Wakefield and Rothwell

Parliamentary Under-Secretary — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on transport, economy-jobs, environment (250 times, 40pts); Known positions: transport: supportive, transport: neutral, transport: opposed (30pts)Voting record

Emma HardyLabour Party

Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice

Parliamentary Under-Secretary — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on economy-jobs, environment, agriculture (194 times, 40pts); Known positions: environment: supportive, agriculture: supportive, environment: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Chris BryantLabour Party

Rhondda and Ogmore

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on transport, economy-jobs, environment (304 times, 40pts); Known positions: technology: supportive, economy-jobs: supportive, economy-jobs: neutral (30pts)Voting record

Jerome MayhewConservative and Unionist Party

Broadland and Fakenham

Shadow Transport — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on transport, economy-jobs, environment (445 times, 40pts); Known positions: economy-jobs: opposed, transport: opposed, transport: questioning (30pts)Voting record

Role of rail freight in the transport network

MPs most likely to speak

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