Electric Vehicles: Transition
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Pidgeon
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UK’s transition to electric vehicles.
Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)
My Lords, the UK is a global leader in the transition to zero-emission vehicles, with the largest EV market share of any major European economy in 2025. The Government are committed to working with manufacturers, charge point operators and fleets to ensure that the transition is a success. We are investing £7.5 billion over the next decade to help drivers to make the switch.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer. An early review of the zero-emission vehicle mandate took place in 2024, but manufacturers really need certainty now, given that they are investing heavily in decarbonisation. Will the Government give manufacturers the clear assurance that they are committed to a transition to electric vehicles and cancel the proposed further review of the mandate in 2027?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The ZEV mandate is the largest carbon-saving measure across government, providing policy stability and regulatory certainty, and is an essential driver of investment and consumer confidence. It is the Government’s long-standing commitment to have a review of the ZEV mandate. It will commence later this year and will be published in 2027. It is absolutely crucial that we have confidence across the system to make sure that we move forward successfully.
Smart Motorways
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
Just to broaden the issue, the majority of schemes are delivering economic benefits and have created additional lane capacity, which is beneficial now and into the future. I think it goes back to the perception issue. Smart motorways remain our safest roads, and we are monitoring the impact of investment in safety, including the 150 emergency areas we have added. I hope that answers some of the noble and right reverend Lord’s questions. Although carrying half the traffic, 327 more people were killed or seriously injured on A-roads compared with motorways. We take road safety seriously, and recently published our new road safety strategy, in which we outline the further measures we are intending to take.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, it was clear from the start that so-called smart motorways were nothing of the sort, and they have led to a huge waste of public money and time, not only in building them but in having to retrospectively install more than 150 additional emergency areas. What is the total cost of these additional works, and will the Government assure the House that no further smart motorways will be installed?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I can absolutely assure the noble Baroness that no more smart motorways will be installed. It is difficult when you inherit a programme, and it has obviously been done with the best of intentions—to save lives, increase capacity, help people move around and support the economy. Obviously, the costs involved are relevant, but we need to make sure that we learn from the experience we have had thus far and deal with the absolutely disgraceful issue of the safety statistics on our roads.
Railways: East Coast Main Line
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My Lords, the short answer is yes, I do agree. The £4 billion public investment in the east coast main line infrastructure in trains had stalled. Although Network Rail writes the timetable, it lacked the authority to implement it. Requiring ministerial approval amounted to an excessive level of central control that GBR will remove. Encouragingly, public sector collaboration, free from contractual constraints, enables successful delivery. The result is a major uplift in services, supporting economic growth and increasing the availability of cheaper LNER tickets, thanks to more trains and seats.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, capacity on both the east and west coast main lines is stretched, which is why High Speed 2 will make such a difference when it opens. When will the Government publish the project reset, including the revised opening period and costs?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I cannot give the noble Baroness a specific answer, as I am sure she is probably aware, but we will communicate that as soon as we are able to.
Toilet-training: Support for Parents
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I wondered where the first Question would lead. Given the noble Baroness’s background, it should not come as a surprise that the environment is involved. This is an important issue, for the children involved and for parents, and the cost of nappies is important. But I am not in a position to give the commitment that she is asking for at this time.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, how are the Government ensuring that parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities receive tailored, specialist support for toilet-training, rather than being expected to rely on generic guidance that may not meet their child’s needs?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The noble Baroness raises an important question. Our plan for change is committed to the milestone that children at the end of reception, including those with SEND, have received a good level of development. Children with special needs are at the heart of our strategy. We need to make sure that the advice and support given through the hubs is bespoke, tailored to the specific needs of families and children.
Disruption at Heathrow
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds(10 months, 2 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)
It is the turn of the Lib Dems.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, as we have heard, Heathrow is an important hub airport, yet this incident has led to its complete closure, causing so much disruption. Will the Government now focus on the infrastructure in and around Heathrow, and indeed other airports, to improve resilience—which we have been discussing—security and the passenger experience, rather than simply advocating expanding Heathrow and other airports?
London Underground
Debate between Baroness Pidgeon and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his supplementary question. As he is well aware, discussions are ongoing with Transport for London and all the regional authorities around the country about their long-term funding needs. This will be subject to the spending review, and we very much look forward to hearing the outcomes of that. I will of course be more than happy to continue the fruitful conversations with the noble Lord opposite.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, although this announcement is welcome for the Piccadilly line, the Bakerloo line has the oldest trains. What discussions have the Government had with Transport for London, the GLA and the boroughs about new rolling stock and extending the Bakerloo line to Lewisham?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for what I think is her first question in this House. Her experience in the London Assembly will be very welcome in future debates. The Bakerloo line, the Central line and the Waterloo & City line are all matters under consideration and discussion with the mayor, and we look forward to the outcome of those discussions.