Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to accelerate (1) the adoption of electric and other low- or non-carbon emitting cars in the UK, and (2) any necessary infrastructure required for such cars.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government is investing over £2.8 billion to facilitate the transition to zero emission vehicles. Of this, £1.3 billion has been ring fenced to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure, targeting support on rapid chargepoints on motorways and major A roads and installing more on-street chargepoints near homes and workplaces to make charging as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car. The Government has also pledged £582 million in grants for those buying zero or ultra-low emission vehicles to make them cheaper to buy and incentivise more people to make the transition.
The Government will continue to support industry and consumers to make the switch to cleaner vehicles.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic, what plans they have to extend the renewal date for driving licences that expire in January 2021.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The quickest and easiest way to renew a driving a licence is by using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s online service which has worked as normal throughout the pandemic.
The Government keeps the ongoing impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic and any changes that may be needed to existing arrangements under review.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to accelerate the decarbonisation of city centres, including banning diesel and petrol vehicles from heavily built-up areas.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Tackling emissions at a local level will make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of transport. Developing solutions that consider the needs of different locations is one of our six strategic priorities for transport decarbonisation, and recognises that different decarbonisation solutions will be required and will work best in different places across the UK. Taking a place-based approach will enable us to engage communities in building their own net zero visions and encourage and enable further progress.
Heavily built up areas will also benefit from the Prime Minister’s ambitious plans to boost cycling and walking and vision that half of all journeys in towns and cities are to be cycled or walked by 2030. This includes a £2 billion package of funding for active travel over the next 5 years. Over £200 million of funding is available this year to Local Authorities through the Active Travel Fund.
The phase out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be 2030, and from 2035 all new cars and vans must be fully zero emission at the tailpipe.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the opportunity cost of HS2; and what plans they have to allow for further Parliamentary scrutiny should the official cost increase.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The recently published Full Business Case sets out the rationale for why HS2 is the best transport option to deliver the Government’s strategic aims of levelling up, improved connectivity and increased capacity between our biggest economic regions. It builds on the Oakervee Review, which considered transport alternatives and concluded that HS2 remained the best option to meet these goals. The Government has committed to provide six-monthly reports to Parliament on progress which will allow scrutiny of any cost increases against the agreed funding envelope for Phase 1 and the contingency provided.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to further review the costs and benefits of HS2; and whether that project remains (1) on time, and (2) on budget.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Full Business Case for Phase One was approved in April this year which included a robust cost-benefit analysis. Ministers are updated monthly on progress through a Ministerial Task Force chaired by the Secretary of State for Transport and Parliament will receive the first of the regular 6-monthly progress reports later this year which will set out the latest cost and schedule position.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the success of New Zealand in dealing with COVID-19, what plans they have to emulate the measures taken in that country, particularly those in regard to the control of flights into the country.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government’s approach is being kept under review as the pandemic develops. This may mean that measures and procedures change as we control the spread of, and understand more about, the virus. ?Any changes to our approach will be led by advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and the Chief Medical Officer. ?Protecting the health of the UK public will always come first.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they expect HS2 to be completed (1) on time, and (2) on budget.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
In 2019 the Government announced an independent review into HS2, led by Douglas Oakervee. Once the Government has fully considered the review’s findings, including whether and how to proceed with the project, further announcements will be made on any likely funding requirements and anticipated timescales for delivery.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what they estimate the total final cost of HS2 will be to the Exchequer.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
To ensure transparency around the project, we have provided our latest cost and schedule estimates for HS2 to the National Audit Office who reported on the programme last week. These estimates depend, among other things, on the scope of what, if anything, the Government decides to build and which risks come to pass. In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2, including a rigorous examination of costs and schedule. The Government will make a decision on HS2 shortly.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when HS2 will be completed.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
To ensure transparency around the project, we have provided our latest schedule and cost estimates for HS2 to the National Audit Office who reported on the programme last week. These estimates depend, among other things, on the scope of what, if anything, the Government decides to build and which risks come to pass. In August 2019 the Government commissioned the independent Oakervee Review to provide advice on whether and how to proceed with HS2. The Government will make a decision shortly.