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Department for Transport: Civil Servants

Asked by Mr Richard HoldenConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 6 March 2026UIN 116586

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 110088, how many staff in total have been recruited into DFT Operator Limited (DFTO) on a headcount basis since 1 January 2024; and what the net change in total headcount at DFTO has been in each quarter from January 2024 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available.

Answered by Simon Lightwood

The table below sets out the number of employees recruited from January 2024 and the change to net employee headcount per quarter for DFT Operator Limited (DFTO). The increases in headcount are as a result of the progressive public ownership programme managed by DFTO. The increase in staff costs are being offset by the savings in fees that would otherwise be payable to the former private sector owners.

Quarter

Employees recruited

Employees left

Total headcount

Net

change

Q1 2024

4

1

14

3

Q2 2024

6

1

19

5

Q3 2024

11

2

28

9

Q4 2024

10

0

38

10

Q1 2025

22

1

59

21

Q2 2025

17

0

76

17

Q3 2025

31

4

103

27

Q4 2025

26

6

123

20

Q1 2026

(as of 3/3/26)

27

6

144

21

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