Department for Transport
 | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2002 |
| Jurisdiction | England |
| Headquarters | Great Minster House, Horseferry Road, London, England |
| Annual budget | £5.3 billion (current) & £7.7 billion (capital) in 2011-12 [1] |
| Minister responsible |
The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport |
| Department executive | Philip Rutnam |
| Child agencies |
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; Highways Agency; Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Vehicle Certification Agency |
| Website |
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The Department for Transport (DfT) is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have not been devolved. The department is run by the Secretary of State for Transport, currently Patrick McLoughlin (since 4 September 2012).
History
Government control of transport and diverse associated matters has been reorganised a number of times in modern history, being the responsibility of:[2]
- 2002– Department for Transport
- 2001–2002: Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
- 1997–2001: Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
- 1976–1997: Department of Transport
- 1970–1976: Department for the Environment
- 1959–1970: Ministry of Transport
- 1953–1959: Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
- 1945–1953: Ministry of Transport
- 1941–1945: Ministry of War Transport - after absorption of Ministry of Shipping
- 1919–1941: Ministry of Transport
The name "Ministry of Transport" lives on in the annual MOT test, a test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions, which most vehicles used on public roads in the UK are required to pass annually once they reach three years old (four years for vehicles in Northern Ireland).
Role
The Department for Transport has four strategic objectives:
- Sustain economic growth and improved productivity through reliable and efficient transport networks;
- Improve the environmental performance of transport;
- Strengthen the safety and security of transport; and
- Enhance access to jobs, services, and social networks, including for the most disadvantaged people.
The department "creates the strategic framework" for transport services, which are delivered through a wide range of public and private sector bodies including its own executive agencies.[3]
Ministers
The DfT Ministers are as follows:[3]
| Minister | Rank | Portfolio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP | Secretary of State | Overall responsibility, transport security, high-speed rail | |
| The Rt. Hon. John Hayes MP | Minister of State | National roads, Highways Agency reform, Infrastructure Bill, maritime and Commons spokesman on bus policy | |
| The Baroness Kramer | Minister of State | HS2-Phase Two, Rail-Funding and Futures, Cities and Urban Renewal, Localism and Devolution, Local Connectivity, Accessibility and Equalites, Future Transport, Natural Environment, SME's and International | |
| Robert Goodwill MP | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State | Aviation, local roads, traffic, road safety, cycling and walking, London (not Crossrail), Europe, HS2 Phase 1 and Commons spokesman on ULEV and environment issues | |
| Claire Perry MP | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State | Rail (including rail franchising, commercial, rail fares, major projects including Crossrail), freight and logistics, transport agencies, corporate and better regulation | |
| Key | Conservative | |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Democrat |
The Permanent Secretary is Philip Rutnam, who succeeded Lin Homer on 11 April 2012.
Executive agencies
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
- Highways Agency (HA)
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
- Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
Non-departmental public bodies
The DfT sponsors the following public bodies:
- British Transport Police Authority
- Northern Lighthouse Board
- Passenger Focus
- Trinity House Lighthouse Service
Devolution
The devolution of transport policy varies around the UK; most aspects in Great Britain are decided at Westminster. Key reserved transport matters (i.e., not devolved) are as follows:
Scotland Reserved matters:[4]
- Air transport
- Marine transport
- Road transport
Northern Ireland Reserved matters:[5]
- Civil aviation
- Navigation (including merchant shipping)
The department's devolved counterparts in Northern Ireland are:
- Department for Regional Development (general transport policy, ports, roads, and rail)[6]
- Department of the Environment (road safety and the regulation of drivers and vehicles)[7]
Wales Under the Welsh devolution settlement, specific policy areas are transferred to the National Assembly for Wales rather than reserved to Westminster.
See also
- Transport Direct
- Transport Research Laboratory (formerly known as the Road Research Laboratory, then the Transport and Road Research Laboratory); now a privatised company
- United Kingdom budget
- Urban Traffic Management and Control
References
- ↑ Budget 2011 (PDF). London: HM Treasury. 2011. p. 48. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
- ↑ "Transport Departments". The National Digital Archive of Datasets. The National Archives. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cabinet Office List of Government Departments and Ministers: Department for Transport
- ↑ Scotland Act 1998, Schedule 5, Part II
- ↑ Northern Ireland Act 1998, Schedule 3
- ↑ DRD: About The Department
- ↑ DoE: About Us
External links
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