Coalition government plans

The new government has published The Coalition – Our Programme for Government, superseding the pre-election manifesto commitments made by both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. It sets out the following programme:

• a road user charge for goods vehicles to ensure a fairer position for UK hauliers, compared with those based overseas
• a national recharging network for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
• no further funding for new fixed speed cameras and a switch to more effective ways of making roads safer
• a reduction in regulation and red tape
• reform of the corporation tax system by simplifying reliefs and removing capital allowances.

The full document can be downloaded here: The Coalition – Our Programme for Government

The full list of bills announced in the Queen's Speech can be found here: The Queen's Speech

Transport ministers

The new transport ministers are:

Secretary of State for Transport – Rt Hon Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge

In recent years, Philip Hammond has held a number of shadow portfolios, most recently as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. His responsibilities include:

• Spending review
• Transport security – including the Transport Security and Contingencies team
• High speed rail
• Overall responsibility for transport strategy

Minister of State for Transport – Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet

From 1999 to 2005 Theresa Villiers served as an MEP for the London region, before being elected as MP for Chipping Barnet in 2005. Theresa Villiers was appointed as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and subsequently as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.

Her responsibilities include:

• Rail
• London – including Crossrail
• Olympics
• Europe
• Aviation – including the Air Accident Investigation Branch

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport – Norman Baker, MP for Lewes

In recent years Norman Baker has held a number of portfolios in the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet, including Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport. His responsibilities include:

• Regional and local transport
• Buses and taxis – including concessionary fares
• Walking and cycling
• Accessibility and equalities
• Alternatives to travel

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport – Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead

Mike Penning entered Parliament in 2005 as the MP for Hemel Hempstead, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Health in 2007. His responsibilities include:

• Strategic roads and Highways Agency
• Motoring agencies
• Road Safety and Standards
• Freight and Logistics – including lorry road user charging
• Maritime and Dangerous Goods – including Maritime and Coastguard Agency