1.1 Reducing the United Kingdom's budget deficit is a Government priority. In October 2010, the Government published its spending review, setting out budgets for each department over the four-year period 2011-12 to 2014-15. This Part sets out the process and outcomes of:
• the emergency budget;
• the spending review settlement; and
• how the Department plans to reduce its costs.
1.2 The Department for Transport provides leadership across the transport sector to achieve its objectives, setting policy for rail, road, sea, air and local travel. It invests public funds in road and rail infrastructure and maintenance and gives subsidies to bus and rail services. It works with its Executive Agencies2 and a wide range of third parties, including local and private sector parties, to deliver most of its services. In 2010-11, 68 per cent of the Department's £12.8 billion budget was spent through third parties and a further 25 per cent through the Highways Agency.
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2 The Department's Executive Agencies comprise the Highways Agency, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Government Car and Despatch Agency and Driver & Vehicle Licencing Agency. Agencies that operate as trading funds are the Driving Standards Agency, Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency and Vehicle Certification Agency.