Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funds his Department has allocated to help improve local traffic movements in the last five years.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has a number of funding streams which can help improve local traffic movements. These include the Integrated Transport Block, which can support small-scale local improvements, and the Highway Maintenance Block which helps deliver smoother roads. Details of the funding provided under each are available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/roads-funding-information-pack/roads-funding-information-pack.

In addition, there are a number of wider Government funds such as the Levelling Up Fund, Active Travel Fund and Future High Streets all of which have supported improvements to local roads.

As announced in the Plan for Drivers, the Department has provided £50 million to local authorities to upgrade traffic signals to help improve traffic flow. This includes £30 million to replace outdated equipment, and £20 million to reduce poor traffic light sequencing through innovative technology that responds to live traffic conditions. Details of the funding allocations are available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signal-obsolescence-grant-and-green-light-fund-allocations”

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how much levelling up funding his Department has allocated to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council.

Answered by Jacob Young - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

BCP Council have received a variety of levelling up support since 2019, including through some specific awards such as:

• £20 million of Levelling Up Fund investment;
• £4.2 million in Core UK Shared Prosperity Funding and £1.7 million in Multiply for BCP investing in communities focused on building pride in place, supporting high quality skills training, employment and productivity growth, and increasing life chances;
• £1 million in Towns Accelerator Funding, designed to kick start local projects: driving growth and improving prospects for communities; and
• £21.7 million Town Deal for Bournemouth to regenerate the town and deliver long-term economic and productivity growth. This is through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what air defence systems are in use in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF as of 17 April 2024.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As of 17 April 2024, the following air defence systems are in use:

Royal Navy:

• Sea Viper (Guided Weapon System 45)
• Sea Ceptor (Guided Weapon System 35)
• Phalanx B (Close In Weapon System)
• 30mm DS30B Cannon
• 30mm Automatic Small Calibre Gun MK1.5

Army:

• Sky Sabre
• High Velocity Missile
• Land Environment Air Picture Provision

Royal Air Force:

• Lightning and Typhoon aircraft are equipped with Meteor, Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
• Both aircraft also have air-to-air cannon.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help improve digital inclusion for people that are unable to access the internet.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government recognises that access to the internet is increasingly essential for full participation in society and has taken steps to ensure households across the UK are able to access fast, reliable mobile and broadband services.

The Government has worked closely with the telecoms industry to ensure superfast broadband connections extend to over 97% of the UK. Similarly, 4G mobile coverage is available to 99% of the population from at least one network provider. The Government is also investing £5 billion through our flagship Project Gigabit programme to bring gigabit broadband to reach hard-to-reach communities.

We recognise that infrastructure is only part of the story. To support those for whom cost may be a barrier, the Government has worked closely with the telecoms industry to ensure market provision of broadband and mobile social tariffs. These low-cost, commercial products are available from 28 different providers, across 99% of the UK and start at just £10 per month.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans for councils to set their own charges for parking on single and double yellow lines.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has no such plans.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on consultation with local residents before the introduction of 20 mph zones.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits. On setting 20mph speed limits and zones, it states ‘A comprehensive and early consultation of all those who may be affected by the introduction of a 20mph scheme is an essential part of the implementation process. This needs to include residents, all tiers of local government, the police and emergency services, public transport providers and any other relevant local groups (including, for example, groups representing pedestrians, cyclists, drivers or equestrians)’.

Local authorities are expected to consider this best practice guidance; though the final decision is for the authority together with the police, who would carry out any enforcement activity.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding has been provided to BCP council to fix potholes.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In 2023/24 the Government provided Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council with £6.24 million of capital funding for local highway maintenance. This was an increase of around 30% compared to the previous year, made possible in part by reallocating £604,000 of funding that would otherwise have been spent on the HS2 programme. In total, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council will receive an uplift of over £18 million over the next decade as a result of the decision to reallocate HS2 funding.

It is up to Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council to determine how best to use this funding based on local needs, priorities and circumstances. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council has published on its website details of how it intends to spend the additional funding the Government has provided (https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/projects-plans-and-consultations/highway-maintenance)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what maritime assets are being sent to the Middle East following Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel.

Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

As of 22 April 2024, there are no plans to reposition additional maritime assets to the Middle East. However, the UK remains ready to respond to the evolving situation as required. The Ministry of Defence has bolstered its contribution to maritime security in the region with the deployment of HMS Diamond, in support of Op PROSPERITY GUARDIAN, joining HMS Lancaster deployed in support of the long standing Op KIPION.

Found: Unionist Party, Belfast East ) John Spellar MP (Labour, Warley ) Derek Twigg MP (Labour, Halton ) Tobias

Found: Presented by Christine Jardine supported by Wendy Chamberlain , Mrs Flick Drummond , Mr Tobias