Tag: Department for Transport

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 October 2024.

Establishing Shadow Great British Railways is a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with Britain’s passengers at its heart.

The Transport Secretary has today (3 October 2024) appointed Laura Shoaf as Chair of Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR).

In the role, Laura will help drive the government’s overhaul of the railways, bringing senior leaders together to deliver improvements for passengers and work towards a more unified rail system. SGBR will also help design Great British Railways – a permanent body that will oversee railway infrastructure and services.

Before leading the WMCA, Laura was managing director of Transport for West Midlands where she oversaw a multi-million pound transport investment package for the region. She was the first female chair of the Urban Transport Group, which comprises transport leaders from across the UK, and supported the industry on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recognised expert who has advised on national policy, Laura was also one of the UK’s first ‘transport champions for tackling violence against women and girls’. Her experience will be key in making the rail network more accessible and safer for all passengers.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

For too long, passengers have suffered from a fragmented rail system that doesn’t work in their interests – we’re going to change that.

Establishing Shadow Great British Railways is a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train – and it’s fantastic we have someone of Laura’s calibre to drive forward reforms.

Laura brings immense hands-on experience of delivering change and a shared desire to move fast and deliver change – I’m looking forward to working with her to fix our railways and getting Britain moving again.

SGBR Chair, Laura Shoaf, said:

The arrival of the railways fundamentally changed the United Kingdom – creating huge growth, new connections between communities and opening up the opportunity of jobs and adventure to people across the whole of the country.

I recognise the great power that our transport network plays in our day to day lives, but in order for it to work and in order for it to keep opening up these opportunities, it has to be built around our passengers and freight users.

It is my privilege to have been asked to Chair Shadow Great British Railways and my focus will be ensuring people are at the heart of the railways and to ensure this remains a focus for years to come.

The government’s rail reforms will see an end to wasteful fragmentation on our railways, unifying the oversight of track and train under Great British Railways.

Ahead of legislation being passed, SGBR will lay the groundwork for this new system, ensuring no time is wasted in delivering better for passengers and freight.

SGBR brings together the leaders of Network Rail, DfT’s Operator of Last Resort and DfT’s Rail Services Group, laying the tracks for a properly integrated, customer-focused national rail network.

It will also work closely with industry partners to deliver better services for passengers and tackle the financial challenges facing our railways.

As Chair, Laura will be tasked with ensuring SGBR’s leadership drives forward plans for improvement and challenging industry to deliver, while ensuring the interests of passengers, freight users and taxpayers remain at the forefront of everything SGBR does.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 October 2024.

A new manufacturing plant will be home to hundreds of high-skilled jobs, delivering faster tube journeys and regional growth.

Hundreds of jobs, faster tube journeys and regional growth will be delivered thanks to a new rail manufacturing plant officially opened by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh today (3 October 2024).

The Secretary of State will attend Siemens’ Rail Village in Goole to celebrate the formal opening of its new £200 million site.

The plant will be home to hundreds of high-skilled jobs where almost 100 new state-of-the-art Piccadilly Line trains will be manufactured and assembled.

In a further boost to the region, Siemens Mobility is also announcing up to a further £40 million towards a new Bogie Assembly and Service Centre at the site which will create up to 200 extra jobs.

The world class hub has been made possible by the government’s funding settlements with Transport for London (TfL), giving Siemens the confidence to invest in the site.

It represents the scale of what can be achieved through joint public and private sector support – and underlines the government’s commitment to attracting international investment.

The grand opening comes ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024, which will bring together some of the world’s most influential companies and major investors.

The summit will be an opportunity for the Prime Minister and Cabinet to outline how the government will provide the certainty and opportunities businesses need to make Britain the best place in the world to invest.

The government is focused on creating the conditions for businesses to invest, through trust partnership and stability. We will fix the foundations by investing in the jobs, industries and infrastructure of the future to rebuild Britain and make everyone, everywhere better off.

As part of this drive, the Transport Secretary is working to end the ‘boom and bust’ approach to rail manufacturing by delivering a long-term industrial strategy for rolling stock.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

This impressive, world-class facility will be transformational to Goole and its people, providing a boost to the region’s economy and supporting hundreds of skilled jobs.

Its opening demonstrates the importance of high quality, long-term investment to pave the way for employment and growth.

I know how vital rail manufacturing is to our economy, which is why we will not sit on our hands when it comes to supporting it. For too long, the cycle of boom-and-bust has held back this sector.

That’s why I am determined to put an end to the stop-start approach to investment and provide the industry with the certainty it needs to deliver a railway that is fit for the future.

The new Piccadilly Line trains are expected to start serving the London Underground network next year, delivering a boost to reliability, extra services for passengers and increased capacity.

They will be fully air-conditioned and more accessible, creating more comfortable journeys for the travelling public.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

This train manufacturing facility in Goole is a fantastic example of the expertise we don’t have and how investment in London benefits the whole country. This factory, where the new state-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains will be built, will create up to 900 direct jobs and support another 1,700 in the supply chain, delivering great benefits to the wider UK economy, showing that where London succeeds, the whole country succeeds and vice versa.

I’m excited to continue working together with the new government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London, and country, for everyone.

Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility said:

After more than a decade of tremendous dedication and hard work, we have officially opened our state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole, which is testament to our commitment to the North of England.

None of this would have been possible without the brilliance, perseverance and passion of our people and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.

We’ll assemble 80% of London’s new Piccadilly line trains and all future Siemens trains for the UK including our Verve battery train here in Goole and I’m pleased that we are supporting the local supply chain in the process.

Our further investment in the Bogie Assembly and Service Centre will only add to our ability to transform rail and transport for everyone, right here in Goole.

Today’s announcement reinforces the Transport Secretary’s commitment to rebuild the railways and deliver infrastructure fit for the future and to strengthen connectivity and grow the economy.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 1 October 2024.

Local bus and coach services will have to provide real-time onboard route and stop information.

Passengers on local bus and coach services will have more accessible journeys, thanks to new regulations coming into force today (1 October 2024).

The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 require operators of local bus and coach services to provide information on the route, direction of travel and each upcoming stop.

The regulations will boost confidence for travelling passengers, including those with sight and hearing impairments because route information will be clearly displayed and announced.

This government is committed to delivering improvements to transport accessibility and has an expectation that transport operators and local authorities play their part in making this possible.

Buses are the country’s most used form of public transport, and having audible and visual information available plays an important part in allowing people to use local transport to make the journeys they want, how they want.

Today’s regulatory deadline (1 October 2024) means newer vehicles (those first used on local services since 1 October 2019) must now be compliant. There is a staggered deadline for older vehicles through to 2026, with partially compliant status vehicles needing to be compliant by 2031.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 September 2024.

Government plans to fix up to one million more potholes a year and help halt the decline of the country’s road network.

Drivers and cyclists will benefit from smoother, safer roads after the Transport Secretary reaffirmed the government’s manifesto commitment to fix up to one million more potholes a year as she visited Blackpool today (26 September 2024).

The country’s pothole plague has become a menace, slowing everyone’s journeys, putting lives of drivers and cyclists at risk, and pushing up repair costs for hard-pressed drivers.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh met with road workers and councillors to see first-hand the extensive work being undertaken to tackle the pothole plague and learn how high-definition imagery is used to spot defects and speed up repairs.

Blackpool’s Project Amber scheme uses an advanced imagery system that takes high-definition images of roads to detect potholes and compile data on areas most in need of repair. It is hoped systems like these can be replicated across the country, helping to repair England’s neglected roads and save money for drivers and councils.

As part of her mission to get Britain moving, the Transport Secretary has pledged to deliver for drivers with wider plans to tackle the soaring cost of car insurance, accelerate the roll out of electric vehicle charge points, and deliver a new road safety strategy to reduce tragic deaths and injuries on our roads. This government is prioritising safe, reliable and modern infrastructure, as a key part of its mission for growth.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

For too long, this country has suffered from a pothole plague. Our roads have become a constant and visible reminder of the decline in our country’s infrastructure, which stunts economic growth.

From drivers to bikers to cyclists, everyone who uses our roads deserves a safe and pleasant journey. That’s why I’ve pledged to support local authorities to fix up to one million more potholes per year.

Blackpool Council are already doing fantastic work to make the most of new technology to repair potholes faster. This should be a model for every community to learn from and help deliver the roads their drivers deserve, so that Britain can get moving.

Councillor Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, said:

It was great to welcome the Secretary of State Louise Haigh to Blackpool today and show her how we deal with the issues around road maintenance and potholes.

Blackpool has always been synonymous with innovation – how we look after our roads is no different. I’m really proud that Blackpool are leading the way nationally with innovative road maintenance.

Our highways team work extremely hard to keep the roads functioning for residents and visitors to the town. We continually strive to use new methods that are quicker and less disruptive, alongside materials that are longer-lasting and better for the environment.

By repairing the roads at an early stage we can also avoid more costly repairs in the future and ensure our roads stay stronger for longer to create a better Blackpool.

Launched in 2019 by the Local Council Roads Innovation Group, Blackpool was the first local authority to use this technology to repair its roads.

Since 2019 Blackpool has seen significant reductions in its compensation bill for pothole related pay outs. In previous years it was paying up to £1.5 million a year to settle claims. Last year it only paid out £719.

The government will set out how it will achieve its manifesto road resurfacing commitment at the Spending Review.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 September 2024.

The new Buses Bill will put power over bus services back in the hands of local leaders.

A package of measures to empower local leaders to take control of their bus services has been unveiled today (9 September 2024) by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh – the first stop on the journey to better buses.

Legislation is being laid before Parliament today which gives all local transport authorities across England new powers to run their own bus services – powers previously limited to mayoral combined authorities. The move means that local leaders across the country can deliver services in a way that suits the needs of their communities.

The government has also launched a consultation on new draft guidance to provide advice and support for local leaders looking to bring services into public control. This new, simplified guidance will help break down barriers to local control of bus services, speeding up the process and bringing down costs.

The guidance will also put the needs of passengers and bus drivers first – by encouraging local transport authorities to consider driver welfare and passenger safety, including anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.

The new Buses Bill, which will follow this first statutory instrument, will bring an end to the current postcode lottery by taking steps to improve bus services no matter where you live.

Buses remain the most used form of public transport across the country, but – after almost 4 decades of failed deregulation – vital services have been slashed and there is little accountability to passengers.

Since 2010, almost 300 million fewer miles have been driven by buses per year. The transformative work the government is doing will turn the tide by giving communities the opportunity to control local bus services and have a real say in building local transport networks that work for them.

Modernising our transport infrastructure and delivering better buses is at the heart of our plan to kickstart economic growth in every part of the country and get the country moving. Our plans will deliver a better service for passengers and give local authorities a choice over the bus system that works best for them without extra burdens on the taxpayer.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people it has become impossible to rely on local services, as routes have been slashed and timetables hollowed out.

Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.

With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first.

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said:

We welcome the pace at which government is moving on its ambitious transport agenda.

Buses are the cornerstone of our public transport system, so it’s greatly encouraging to see this new package of measures, which will deliver better bus services for more local areas.

We look forward to working with government to create a smoother journey for all bus passengers.

Councillor Adam Hug, transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:

Buses remain critical to local government’s efforts to ensure that everyone can benefit from inclusive economic growth and job opportunities, and to prevent social isolation by making local services more accessible; they also continue to play a vital role in reducing carbon and other harmful emissions.

These proposed measures recognise the fundamental role of local leadership in shaping future bus provision, which the LGA has long been calling for.

Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:

This is a government that understands what the communities and economies of places like Cambridgeshire and Peterborough need.

Good quality public transport is a vital part of people’s lives and none more so than local bus services, so it’s a huge boost to see much-needed change coming to life.

As a combined authority we’re doing everything we can to reform the way buses are managed across the region and having government on our side makes a massive difference.

It comes as the Transport Secretary took a bus ride to Anglia Ruskin University Campus in Peterborough, where she met with the Mayor and local MP to discuss plans for local control of bus services.

These new powers mean local transport authorities will now be able to emulate the huge success of publicly controlled buses in Greater Manchester and London. Greater Manchester’s successful Bee Network has already seen passenger numbers grow by 5% since public control began to be rolled out just a year ago.

The Buses Bill will also reverse the ban on setting up new publicly owned bus companies, provide greater flexibility over bus funding and will take steps to improve bus services for communities who choose not to pursue public control.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 September 2024.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh today (3 September 2024) fired the starting gun on rail reform – ushering in a new era for our railways which puts passengers first.

Today’s launch of Shadow Great British Railways (Shadow GBR) will set in motion a huge overhaul of the running of the rail network, bringing together leaders from the Department for Transport, Network Rail and publicly-owned operators.

Shadow GBR will pave the way for Great British Railways – a new unified arm’s length body responsible for finally bringing track and train back together and overseeing both services and infrastructure.

Today’s announcement comes as the government’s Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill continues its passage through the Commons, marking further progress in the Transport Secretary’s mission to put rail services back into the hands of the public.

The landmark legislation reinforces the government’s relentless focus on reversing decades of delays, cancellations and unreliable services on Britain’s railways.

It will prioritise passengers over private companies, putting the railways back on track, while saving taxpayers up to an estimated £150 million every year in fees alone in the process.

The Transport Secretary has already started the work to modernise the railways – root and branch – so passengers are put first. She says this programme will save money for taxpayers and passengers and deliver a more reliable railway.

As part of the plans for reform, the government has recognised the need to speed up training for drivers and is collaborating with the sector to build resilience and improve productivity. Following a consultation this summer on lowering the minimum age for drivers from 20 to 18, the government is reviewing the feedback and will lay out next steps in due course.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

Today, I am firing the starting gun on the biggest reforms to our railways in a generation. I am determined to end the chaos, delay and disruption faced by people on train journeys every day.

Establishing Shadow Great British Railways marks a significant step towards delivering a unified railway with passengers at its heart by bringing together track and train, and by progressing the Passenger Railways Services Bill we’re one step closer to public ownership which will help put our railways back on track.

This government will direct every penny into creating a stronger, more reliable rail network that works for everyone.

This is about making the railways work for the people that use them – putting passengers first and driving up performance.

Further measures set out by the Secretary of State today include the announcement of a new Rail Sale early next year, to tie in with celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain’s passenger railways. Returning by popular demand, the sale will aim to encourage more people on to the railways by offering up to 50% off train tickets for a specific time period.

On top of this, tap-in tap-out technology will be rolled out at a further 45 stations next year thanks to nearly £27 million of government funding, meaning simpler and more flexible train travel.

Among these stations will be London Stansted, allowing smoother journeys for international passengers from train to plane. This follows 47 stations previously announced across the Southeast that are set to benefit from the technology in September.

The reforms announced today would not be possible to deliver while industrial disputes are ongoing. That’s why the Transport Secretary is prioritising ending the longest national strike in the history of the railways, clearing the way for vital progress on the network.

Just recently, following a series of positive talks led by government, ASLEF agreed to recommend a new pay proposal to its members which will now be put to members in a referendum.

Establishing a Shadow Great British Railways, written ministerial statement.

Rail stations receiving tap-in tap-out technology in 2025

Rail station	Train operating company
Aylesbury	Chiltern
Aylesbury Vale Parkway	Chiltern
Great Missenden	Chiltern
Little Kimble	Chiltern
Monks Risborough	Chiltern
Princes Risborough	Chiltern
Saunderton	Chiltern
Stoke Mandeville	Chiltern
Wendover	Chiltern
Billericay	Greater Anglia
Bishop’s Stortford	Greater Anglia
Harlow Mill	Greater Anglia
Harlow Town	Greater Anglia
Hockley	Greater Anglia
Prittlewell	Greater Anglia
Rayleigh	Greater Anglia
Rochford	Greater Anglia
Roydon	Greater Anglia
Sawbridgeworth	Greater Anglia
Southend Victoria	Greater Anglia
Stansted Airport	Greater Anglia
Stansted Mountfitchet	Greater Anglia
Wickford	Greater Anglia
Chelmsford	Greater Anglia
Hatfield Peverel	Greater Anglia
Ingatestone	Greater Anglia
Witham	Greater Anglia
Southend Airport	Greater Anglia (London Southend Airport)
Ashtead	GTR
Box Hill and Westhumble	GTR
Dorking (Main)	GTR
Hurst Green	GTR
Leatherhead	GTR
Oxted	GTR
Welwyn North	GTR
Woldingham	GTR
Dormans	GTR
East Grinstead	GTR
Harlington	GTR
Knebworth	GTR
Leagrave	GTR
Lingfield	GTR
Luton	GTR
Reigate	GTR
Watton-at-Stone	GTR

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 August 2024.

Successful trials demonstrate what the next era of aviation can look like.

A pioneering project using drones to deliver medical supplies across Scotland has been heralded as a “technological revolution” by the Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane in his first official visit to the region (27 August 2024).

Meeting with Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports – which operates Aberdeen International Airport – to celebrate the airport’s 90th anniversary, the Minister is expected to see a series of measures in place to support regional connectivity across the UK, including a project trialling the use of drones to deliver medical supplies to remote locations across Scotland.

Spearheaded by the airport, Project CAELUS is backed by over £7 million in UK government funding, helping to revolutionise aviation and accelerate the development of drones across multiple industries.

In a ground-breaking first for Scotland, laboratory samples have been flown from Edinburgh to Melrose by drones, thanks to the project. A journey that usually takes up to 5 hours by road transport could now take as little as 35 minutes.

Seeing one of the project’s drones first hand, the Minister will set out his vision to continue to support the advancement and rollout of the technologies across the UK to boost prosperity and economic growth across the country.

He is also expected to reiterate the Department for Transport’s continued support to work with industry on developing sustainable solutions for regional connectivity through new technologies and greater dependency on sustainable aviation fuels.

With Aberdeen Airport playing a key role in driving the wider economic and social prosperity of the north east, this visit marks a significant step in the UK Government’s efforts to strengthen aviation infrastructure and bolster economic growth in the region.

Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane said:

Aberdeen has demonstrated what the next era of aviation can look like with its successful medical drone delivery trials.

I want to help all players in the industry across the country to embrace these innovative solutions that enhance regional connectivity and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports, said:

It is well established that a region with strong connectivity will enjoy increased levels of trade and tourism. Since the first flight took to the skies in 1934, the airport has been integral to the success of the region and the Minister’s support for further enhancing the north east’s links is extremely welcome.

We also recognise the airport has a much wider role to play beyond supporting economic growth; it can mobilise and drive change for the better.

Fostering innovation is one of the ways we can achieve this and through Project CAELUS we have a real opportunity to revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered across Scotland.

Whilst in Aberdeen, the Minister will also be visiting Port of Aberdeen to host a roundtable with key Scottish representatives about the ambitions, challenges and insights for the future of maritime.

In his opening remarks, Kane will outline his own vision – emphasising the importance of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration between government and industry to ensure the UK remains a global leader.

With an ambition to be the UK’s first net zero port by 2040, Port of Aberdeen has already undergone several transformations to become a leader in clean maritime.

Thanks to £3 million from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, the port has officially started construction of Scotland’s largest commercial shore power system.

Set to deliver its first power in March 2025, the system will supply clean electricity to vessels and reduce their carbon emissions at berth by more than 80% – keeping Aberdeen at the forefront of renewable and sustainable energy initiatives.

Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen said:

We are delighted to welcome Minister Kane to Port of Aberdeen on his first visit to Scotland to see first hand how we are catalysing sustainable economic growth and driving energy transition.

The ZEVI shore power demonstrator project is an important milestone on our road to net zero by 2040, and one of three ongoing projects to install shore power at nine berth berths.

Developing green infrastructure at scale will require significant investment, public and private sector partnership, and legislation at a UK and international level.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 August 2024.

The pay proposal could see an end to 2 years of industrial action, protect passengers from further national strikes and improve the reliability of services.

Following a series of positive talks led by the government, ASLEF has today (14 August 2024) agreed to recommend a new pay proposal to its members.

The offer made to ASLEF is a 5% pay rise for 2022/23, 4.75% for 23/24, and 4.5% for 24/25. The offer will now be put to ASLEF members in a referendum.

This marks a significant step towards resetting industrial relations and resolving the long-running rail dispute, which has seen services disrupted for over 2 years now. As the pay proposal includes an offer for the year ahead, it also means there is no national rail dispute on the horizon.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, says the breakthrough shows how this government is “putting passengers first”.

If agreed by ASLEF members, the pay proposal could see an end to 2 years of industrial action, protect passengers from further national strikes and improve the reliability of services, which train passengers have been missing for far too long.

Poor industrial relations have caused disruption and delay for working people, prevented families from visiting loved ones and stopped the public from attending events, damaging the hospitality sector.

New industry estimates revealed today show that railway revenue foregone because of strikes since June 2022 has totalled around £850 million – a debilitating amount for the industry and a huge burden that falls directly on the taxpayer. Accounting for additional impacts of strikes, including those due to people being unable to work, or due to potential reductions in spending on hospitality and retail, the total impact likely exceeds £1 billion.

This government changed the tone and got unions back around the table to resolve rail disputes. In recent weeks, the Transport Secretary has instructed senior officials to conduct intensive talks with unions in order to resolve disputes in the interests of the travelling public, which has led to this significant breakthrough.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, said:

When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things – starting by bringing an end to rail strikes. Finally today the end is in sight.

If accepted, this offer would finally bring an end to this long-running dispute and allow us to move forward by driving up performance for passengers with the biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.

Transport disruption has a huge impact on the wider economy, with sectors like hospitality and tourism among the worst affected. In the financial year of 2022 to 2023 alone, strike action was estimated to cost over £500 million of economic output due to people not being able to work.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 2 August 2024.

At around 18:07 hrs on 17 July 2024, a passenger attempted to board a train at Enfield Town station as the doors were closing. This resulted in their hand becoming trapped in the closed doors of the train.​ The train subsequently departed from the platform with the passenger’s hand still trapped in the doors. This forced the passenger to run alongside the train, eventually losing their footing. Passengers on the train alerted the driver who then stopped the train and released the doors, allowing the passenger to free their hand. During the accident, the train travelled approximately 60 metres and reached a speed of 11 mph (18 km/h). The passenger sustained minor physical injuries and psychological distress from the accident.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 July 2024.

Giving young people from under-represented groups the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation.

Young people from underrepresented groups will be able to pursue a career in aviation thanks to new government funding for an aviation skills and outreach programme.

Launched today (26 July 2024) by Aviation Minister, Mike Kane,this latest round of funding for the skills and outreach programme, Reach for the Sky, serves as a way for young people aged 4 to 18 from under-represented groups that may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation, to do so.

Now in its third year, organisations can from today apply for a share of £750,000 that will help them deliver outreach programmes which will provide events, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools and universities – building on the government’s promise to secure the long-term future of aviation and give young people the opportunities they deserve.

Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:

Our aviation industry is one of the best in the world and it’s the talented people within it that makes it so successful – the primary purpose of leadership is to create new leaders.

Having a diverse workforce that can effectively address future challenges – from growing passenger demand to decarbonisation – is crucial and our Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is inspiring the next generation to be part of this ever-growing travel sector.

Several barriers hinder people from joining the aviation industry – including limited access to further education, financial constraints, and lack of exposure to career pathways.

With only 5% of pilots being women, fewer black young people being exposed to aviation opportunities than their white peers, and almost three quarters of airline staff based in London and the South East, both government and industry are working together to ensure the industry is open to everyone.

Reach for the Sky brings fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, and this new pot of funding will add to the £1.5 million already provided. Outreach programmes supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) have already helped over 100,000 young people discover a career in aviation.

Previous recipients of DfT-funded schemes include 18-year-old aspiring pilot Joshua Merchan-Nicholls from Finchley, North London. Since 2021, he has been tirelessly working towards a career as a commercial pilot – a dream he’s had since he was 7 years old – and was recently awarded a gliding scholarship from the Air League as part of the DfT-funded Soaring to Success programme.

The Air League, aimed at breaking down barriers into the aviation industry, offers a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds, and has recently celebrated its 12,000th recipient.  Not only is Joshua hoping to start a pilot training course, but he has also set his heart on helping young people from similar backgrounds achieve rewarding careers in aviation.

Joshua Merchan-Nicholls said:

I was 7 when I first imagined myself as a pilot and I’ve followed this dream ever since. Thanks to the Air League, I received a gliding scholarship in 2022, which gave me my first experience of solo flying and made me even more enthusiastic!

I’m grateful that these organisations exist because they open opportunities for people like me who always wanted to fly and they show the possibility of a career to people who hadn’t considered it before. It’s great that the government is supporting young people like this.

Claire MacAleese, Chair of the Air League, said:

For 115 years the Air League has been inspiring the aviators of tomorrow. The Department for Transport’s Reach for the Sky programme is an important part of keeping that momentum going. Reach for the Sky has been pivotal to our Soaring to Success programme over the past 2 years and more than 20,000 state school students have engaged in learning about a career in aviation and our flying days as a result.

As the industry undergoes a revolution driven by technology, decarbonisation and passenger experience, creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the exciting world of aviation is crucial to its continuing success.

Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said:

The aerospace sector will stall without young people with new ideas and innovations joining it.

The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund brings in people from diverse backgrounds to gain skills and pursue fantastic careers in aerospace.

As the regulator we are committed to inspiring the next generation to get their feet off the ground and Reach for the Sky helps fund our extensive STEM program.

Applications for the fund are now open until September 2024 and decisions will be agreed upon by a joint panel of DfT and the CAA – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.