Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether those arriving into England from the United States must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival; and if not, why not.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Currently, all arrivals from the US must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what countries and territories are currently under consideration for removal from their list of travel corridor exemptions in England.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We keep the list of Travel Corridors under regular review.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability of consumers to cancel and claim refunds for flights booked before the COVID-19 pandemic because one or more of their party have developed mental health difficulties resulting from the restrictions put in place to address the pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government recognises the challenges businesses and consumers are experiencing regarding refunds for cancelled holidays and flights. Airlines are working hard to answer the high call volumes and to process the very large number of applications for refunds.
The Government appreciates the frustration consumers may be experiencing. We have been clear with industry that when consumers are entitled to a refund and ask for one, refunds must be paid. The Department for Transport is in regular conversation with UK airlines and wider membership bodies, and is working closely with the sector, the regulator and consumer groups to help ensure airlines deliver on their commitments.
The safety and well-being of consumers is paramount. However, where a consumer had made the decision to cancel their flight, any refunds or rearrangement of travel would be a matter for the airline in question and its policy in relation to refunds and/or booking amendments. In addition, the consumer’s travel insurance or credit card provider may also be able to provide assistance in such cases. Consumers are advised to check with their travel insurance or credit card providers as they may be able to seek redress.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the offer from the government of Greece to waive the 14-day quarantine for British tourists; and what discussions they have had with airlines about this offer.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
On Wednesday 20th May, Greek PM Mitsotakis announced that Greece envisions a two-stage relaxing of measures for travellers wishing to enter Greece. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials have been in regular contact with the Greek government throughout the COVID19 crisis including about future arrangements and those talks will continue.
Department for Transport officials continue to work closely with their international counterparts, and the aviation sector, as they respond to the crisis and discuss all aspects of restart and recovery.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to backdate the six months extension period for vehicle MOT tests to 23 March.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government has no plans to amend the period set out in the Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to (1) airlines, and (2) shipping companies, operating out of the UK on preventative measures they should take to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
DfT is working closely with the transport sector and PHE to ensure that Port Health measures and health advice reflect the needs of the sector. DfT is in regular contact with Public Health England to ensure that the latest health guidance is made accessible to the transport sector.
PHE and their counterparts in the devolved administrations are responsible for determining and publishing health advice in relation to Covid-19. On 14th February PHE published guidance for staff in the transport sector which was made available on the GOV.UK website. DfT will continue to work with PHE to ensure this remains up to date.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect highway improvements to the Air Balloon roundabout in Gloucestershire will be completed.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The A417 missing link between Brockworth and Cowley is an important project to improve safety and air quality and ease congestion in the area. Highways England announced a preferred route for the scheme in March 2019 and is now preparing for statutory consultation later this year ahead of a Development Consent Order planning application. Delivery of this project is subject to confirmation of funding within the second Road Investment Strategy, which will cover the period 2020 to 2025, due to be published later this year.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the reasons for the recent fall in sales of low-emission vehicles.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
So far in 2019, sales of battery electric vehicles have increased significantly, up by 60% over the same period in 2018. Our Road to Zero Strategy sets out a clear pathway to zero emissions, to give clarity and certainty to both industry and motorists. In 2018 the UK was the second largest market for ultra-low emission vehicles in the EU. The UK is also global leader in the development and manufacture of electric vehicles; in 2018 a fifth of battery electric cars sold in Europe were made in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce long-term incentives to increase sales of low-emission vehicles to help meet carbon reduction targets.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Government grants for plug-in cars, vans, taxis and motorcycles will be available until at least 2020, reducing the upfront purchase price of electric vehicles. The plug-in car grant was first introduced in 2011 and the other schemes in the years since. Purchasers of ultra-low-emission vehicles also receive other benefits, including lower tax rates and grants towards the installation of charge-points. A number of local authorities also provide additional incentives, such as free parking or exemption from the congestion charge. We stated in our Road to Zero strategy that consumer incentives in some form will continue to play a role beyond 2020. We also set out ambitions for the uptake of ultra-low-emission vehicles in the UK. We remain on track to meet these ambitions and will review progress by 2025.
In addition, as announced this week, to accelerate the shift to zero-emission cars, all zero-emission models will pay no company car tax in 2020-21, 1% in 2021-22 before returning to the planned 2% rate in 2022-23 – a significant tax saving for employees and employers.
Asked by: Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Society of Motor Manufacturers’ statement that the Government's decision to abolish the Plug-in Car Grant three weeks early at the end of 2018 has caused a reduction in sales of low-emission vehicles.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government has not abolished the Plug-in car Grant (PiCG). The plug-in car grant continues to provide £3,500 to support the cleanest vehicles and will continue to exist in some form until at least 2020.
The PiCG was introduced in 2011 to support the early market for ultra-low emission vehicles. Through the PiCG we have supported the purchase of over 200,000 plug-in vehicles, including around 100,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles. Last year, in light of increased demand and decreasing prices, we reviewed the PiCG to focus on the cleanest vehicles. While sales of plug-in hybrids have decreased since the grant was reviewed, sales of zero emission cars are up by more than 60% in 2019, than for the same period in 2018. Overall, sales of all alternatively-fuelled cars have increased this year, compared to the same period last year.
The Government’s ambition is for the UK to be a world leader in zero emission vehicles. We are investing nearly £1.5bn between April 2015 and March 2021. The Government’s Road to Zero strategy was published last year and details how this funding is providing grants for plug-in cars, vans, lorries, buses, taxis and motorcycles, as well as schemes to support charge point infrastructure at homes, workplaces and on residential streets.