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Department for Transport: Public Relations

Answer

The table below shows how much each arm’s length body (ALB) sponsored by the Department for Transport has spent on (a) in-house external affairs or public affairs functions and (b) external public affairs or lobbying consultants since 4 July 2024. The figures relate to engagement with political stakeholders unless it has not been possible to disaggregate from wider spend. In relation to part (b) of the question, DfT ALBs have not spent money on lobbying consultants.

ALB	How much ALB has spent on (a) in-house external affairs or public affairs functions since July 2024	How much ALB has spent on (b) external public affairs or lobbying consultants since July 2024
Active Travel England	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency	£0	£0
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency	£0	£0
Maritime Coastguard Agency	£0	£0
Vehicle Certification Agency	£0	£0
British Transport Police Authority	£0	£0
Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain	£0	£0
National Highways	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend
Network Rail	£325,174	£600,580
	The answer for part (b) includes the value of the Stakeholder Engagement Services contract with Lexington Communications, which was let by competitive tender in September 2021, amounting to £423,439.93 (ex VAT) from July 2024 to June 2026.
East West Rail Company Ltd	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend
HS2	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend
Northern Lighthouse Board	£0	£0
Transport Focus	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend	N/a – it has not been possible to disaggregate engagement with political stakeholders from wider spend
Trinity House	£0	£0
Office of Rail and Road	£223,635	£15,940

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

14937

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Department for Transport Expenditure Public relations Arms length bodies

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk