Transport
Transport policy is felt every day in the cost of a train ticket, the state of the roads and whether a bus still runs. It covers the railways and the long argument over ownership and fares, the future of major projects like HS2, road building and maintenance, aviation, and the shift towards electric vehicles and active travel. Big infrastructure decisions commit money for decades and are frequently revised, delayed or cancelled, and the record of what was announced against what was actually delivered is one of the more revealing measures of government competence.
The department responsible
Roads, rail, aviation and electric vehicles. Has spent two decades building HS2 and is now spending the next decade explaining why parts of it aren't being built.
MPs scrutinising this most
By written questions tabled to the department this Parliament.
1. Rt Hon Richard Holden Conservative1,3712. Jerome Mayhew Conservative3823. Joe Robertson Conservative2824. Alex Mayer Labour2615. Greg Smith Conservative238Recent Commons votes
Bills and Acts
Investigations
For 30 years, Britain's railway has financed its trains through private leasing companies. The government has now said public ownership of future rolling stock should be assessed case by case. Franchised operators spent £4.1 billion on rolling stock in 2024/25; rolling stock companies paid out £275 million in dividends the same year. Ministers say buying trains could produce "substantial savings" but have not published the calculations.
On 26 March, the government's Road Investment Strategy said work would begin on the A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass during the road period of five years. After 96 days, the Defence Investment Plan funding document named both as candidates for cancellation. Neither has entered its main construction contract. No final decision has been taken.