{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&_metadata=all&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&_page=0&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?tablingMember.label=Biography+information+for+David+Simpson&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Transport&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2018-11-20", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002550", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002550/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
By setting long term ambitions for 2040 and 2050, the Government has sent a clear signal for the UK\u2019s direction of travel to provide industry and consumers with certainty on the transition to zero emission vehicles. The Government\u2019s Road to Zero strategy, published in July, set out that by 2030 we want to see at least 50% and as many as 70% of new car sales being ultra low emission, alongside up to 40% of new vans. We expect this transition to be industry and consumer led, supported in the coming years by the measures set out in the Road to Zero strategy.<\/p>
<\/p>
There is significant uncertainty over some of the key drivers of the transition \u2013 including battery technology and new mobility services. The Government will be actively tracking market developments, looking at key factors such as uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, deployment of infrastructure, and consumer issues. We will review momentum towards our ambition by 2025, and will consider what interventions are needed if not enough progress is being made.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-16T13:30:32.36Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how his Department will measure progress towards the target for all new vehicles to be effectively zero-emission by 2040.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "188783"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002551", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002551/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government\u2019s £80m investment in accelerating smart ticketing builds on previous and existing franchise commitments, and sits alongside Government funding for Transport for the North\u2019s smart ticketing programme and the Rail Delivery Group\u2019s investment in barcode technology. Together, these programmes mean that the rail industry is on track to deliver a smart card or barcode option for singles, returns and seasons for journeys across almost all of the rail network by the end of the year.<\/p>
<\/p>
Rail ticketing in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-15T14:04:54.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Railways: Tickets"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on delivering smart ticketing across the rail network by the end of 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "188919"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002037", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002037/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department has made clear it is looking to the rail industry for innovation in considering the use of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, in the future.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are aware that Alstom are working with Eversholt on the conversion of class 321 units to bi-modes using hydrogen fuel cells in the UK. Also, Porterbrook have entered into a partnership with the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (\u2018BCRRE\u2019) to create HydroFlex where Porterbrook will provide a \u2018Class 319\u2019 electric unit to BCRRE for conversion into a hydrogen powered train. The introduction of these trains into service will depend on both a positive business case and on the regulatory approvals being given.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3996", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Jones"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harrogate and Knaresborough"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Andrew Jones"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-15T13:10:56.42Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Trains: Hydrogen"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce hydrogen-powered emission-free trains.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"} ], "uin" : "188058"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002038", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002038/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) supervises the MOT scheme on behalf of the Department. The DVSA authorises testers to conduct MOTs. All testers undergo strict training to become an authorised tester, and must pass an annual assessment to retain that authorised status.<\/p>
<\/p>
The DVSA uses data analysis, intelligence and inspection visits to carry out targeted checks on garages and testers to ensure testing is conducted in accordance with the MOT inspection manual.<\/p>
<\/p>
The DVSA ensures that MOT tests are conducted to a satisfactory standard by observing MOT tests, mystery shopper exercises, re-inspecting recently tested vehicles and surveillance operations.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-16T13:33:27.22Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motor Vehicles: Testing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department takes to ensure that MOT tests are being conducted to a satisfactory standard.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "188059"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002039", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1002039/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The specific information requested is not held. However, there are currently around 3.7 million drivers in Great Britain who hold entitlement to drive a motorcycle. The number of licences issued in each of the last three years following a notification of a motorcycle test pass being received by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is shown in the table below:<\/p> <\/p> Year<\/strong><\/p><\/td> Number of motorcycle licences<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2015<\/p><\/td> 36,939<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2016<\/p><\/td> 39,492<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017<\/p><\/td> 41,150<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018<\/p><\/td> 30,870<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3991", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jesse Norman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hereford and South Herefordshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jesse Norman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-15T15:07:52.91Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorcycles: Driving Licences"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of motorcycle licences issued in each of the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "188060"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994011", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/994011/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In Northern Ireland, transport is an entirely devolved matter.<\/p> <\/p> However, looking more widely, on 12 October 2017, the Secretary of State for Transport published the Final Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) for the railway in England and Wales for Control Period 6, which covers the five years 2019 to 2024 and we expect around £47.9 billion to be spent on the railway during that time.<\/p> <\/p> We have some of the most intensively used railways in Europe, and this investment focuses on the essential work needed to ensure their safety and reliability, including funding to support a significant increase in renewals activity compared to the current period, and increased maintenance spend to allow Network Rail to meet the challenges of a busier network.<\/p> <\/p> The renovation of buses is a commercial matter for operators. However, since 2010, the Government has provided £67 million to local authorities in England to retrofit their existing bus fleet to a minimum Euro VI standard. Devolved authorities can implement their own retrofit schemes, with the Scottish Government recently launching the second round of their £7.5 million Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Programme.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4460", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wealden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-01T16:02:02.333Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport: Repairs and Maintenance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has a policy on the timescale for the renovation of public transport.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "183317"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992812", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992812/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime wherever it occurs in the transport system. We want to see more and more people using public transport - one of the key ways of encouraging this is to make sure it is a safe option.<\/p> <\/p> The Department works with the British Transport Police (BTP) to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the railways in Great Britain. Under their franchise agreements, Train Operating Companies are required to work with BTP to manage and reduce railway crime.<\/p> <\/p> BTP also operates a popular dedicated crime reporting text service - \u201861016\u2019 \u2013 which allows people to report offences to the police easily and discreetly.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4460", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wealden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-30T13:48:56.643Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport: Crimes of Violence"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the safety of passengers from (a) verbal and (b) physical abuse on the public transport network.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "182173"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992813", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992813/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Department does not hold this information. Revenue protection is a matter for each transport operator concerned.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-30T16:55:27.483Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport: Tickets"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many passengers travelled on the public transport without a valid ticket in 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "182174"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992814", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992814/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government is committed to ensuring that disabled people have the same access to transport and opportunities to travel as everyone else. In July 2018 the Government launched the Inclusive Transport Strategy (ITS) which sets out key policy and investment priorities to deliver a wholly inclusive transport system.<\/p> <\/p> The ITS is, however, only applicable to England and, in some areas, Great Britain. Transport is an entirely devolved matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4460", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wealden"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Ms Nusrat Ghani"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-30T16:08:38.687Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Public Transport: Disability"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure access to public transport by passengers with disabilities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1597", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Simpson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Upper Bann"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "David Simpson"}
], "uin" : "182175"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992815", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/992815/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Public transport in Northern Ireland is devolved.<\/p> <\/p> However, looking more widely across the United Kingdom, the bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding service provision is primarily a commercial matter for bus operators or for individual local authorities in the case of services that they support. The Bus Services Act 2017 provides the tools local authorities need to improve local bus services. The Department\u2019s guidance on the Bus Services Act recommends that local authorities work with operators to tackle traffic congestion which can cause delays to bus services.<\/p> <\/p> On 12 October 2017, the Secretary of State for Transport published the Final Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) for the railway in England and Wales for Control Period 6, which covers the years 2019 to 2024[1]<\/sup>.<\/p> <\/p> This continues funding for the latest stage in the Government\u2019s multi-billion pound investment in railways across the country and we expect around £47.9 billion to be spent on the railway across control period 6. This funding includes more maintenance and a huge uplift in renewals to increase reliability and punctuality for passengers.<\/p> <\/p> The system of franchise competitions has played a significant role in encouraging growth in the rail industry. However, we want to ensure the rail system can continue to deliver benefits in to the future. That is why, on the 20th<\/sup> September, the Secretary of State announced a major review to transform Britain\u2019s railways led by independent chair Keith Williams.<\/p> <\/p> Whilst the review is underway the Department will continue to work closely with industry to deliver improvements in reliability, alongside the record investment we are making in upgrading the rail network and delivering new trains and more seats across the UK.<\/p> <\/p> [1]<\/sup> https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/railways-statement-of-funds-available-2017<\/a> https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-48-billion-funding-for-britains-railways<\/a><\/p>