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Written Question
Airports: Railways
Wednesday 6th March 2024

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with railway operators to avoid disruption such as occurred on 26 February on trains to Gatwick; what discussions they have held with airlines regarding compensation for those who may miss their flights as a result of rail disruption; and what steps they will take to avoid such scenarios in future.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Unfortunately, Govia Thameslink Railway services were very heavily disrupted on the morning of 26 February by a number of Network Rail infrastructure incidents across the Sussex area.

Network Rail, which is the organisation responsible for rail infrastructure, continues to work closely with train operators to improve how the industry responds to unplanned disruption. The Department monitors operational performance closely and engages with the rail industry at all levels which includes regular meetings on punctuality and reliability with both Network Rail and representatives from the train operators.

Train operators do not offer compensation to passengers for missed flights and as such there have been no discussions between the Department and airlines on this matter. The Department would urge passengers to use the Delay Repay scheme for compensation on their rail journey and consider other claims using their own travel insurance.


Written Question
Large Goods Vehicles: Parking
Friday 22nd December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between the quantity and quality of lorry parking facilities and the (1) number, and (2) diversity, of lorry drivers.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.

In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.

To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.

Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.

On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.

Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.

The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.


Written Question
Large Goods Vehicles: Parking
Friday 22nd December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what forecasts they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities for each year up to 2030.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.

In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.

To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.

Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.

On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.

Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.

The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.


Written Question
Large Goods Vehicles: Parking
Friday 22nd December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.

In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.

To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.

Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.

On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.

Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.

The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.


Written Question
Logistics
Tuesday 19th December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to assess and meet the needs of the logistics industry as an integral part of the UK economy to ensure that the sector is able to grow to meet the demands of the broader economy.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This government is implementing plans and policies targeted at the needs of and raising the status of the UK freight and logistics sector. The 2022 ‘Future of Freight: A long-term plan’ was developed in close collaboration with industry and sets out a cross-modal approach towards a freight and logistics sector that is cost efficient, reliable, resilient, environmentally sustainable and valued by society.

Implementing the Future of Freight plan is ongoing, and we are determined to deliver favourable results to our long-term growth plans by encouraging technological innovation, strengthening the skills pipeline, enabling the transition to Net Zero, improving the planning system, and increasing visibility through a National Freight Network. My department continuously engages with the Freight Council and the broader freight industry to accomplish this. We have made significant investments including £7million through the Freight Innovation Fund, £645,000 through the Generation Logistics campaign, as well as a joint investment of up to £100 million from the freight and logistics industry and government to enhance roadside facilities and safer rest areas for HGV drivers.

We also recognise the scale of the ambitions held by the logistics industry to meet the demands of a decarbonised economy and are working in partnership with them through the jointly developed Freight Energy Forum to address the provision of the energy and fuel infrastructure that will support the transition of the logistics sector to net zero by 2050.


Written Question
Generation Logistics Ambassadors Network
Tuesday 19th December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many professionals are part of the Generation Logistics Ambassadors Network.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Assessments of Generation Logistics have been completed by both the Department for Transport and the industry campaign programme team. Positive messages about the logistics sector and its career pathways have been spread amongst under-represented groups through the first year of the campaign. It exceeded expectations by achieving over 3.5 million engagements with social media activities and 789,000 visits to its online hub. Since establishing an Ambassadors Network, over 330 logistics professionals are now championing this important sector through engagement opportunities with young people.

We consider Generation Logistics to have been successful in its aim of raising awareness of, and positive sentiment towards, the logistics sector. Following the launch of its second year in October, we continue to work closely with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics UK, and all the campaign sponsors and partners, to ensure this messaging reaches young people in schools and colleges. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the campaign as it progresses through its second year to determine the merits of further funding.


Written Question
Logistics: Employment
Friday 15th December 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 20 September (HL10119), whether they have made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Generation Logistics campaign; and whether they will make an assessment of the merits of further funding for Generation Logistics, beyond the £300,000 secured for 2024.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Assessments of Generation Logistics have been completed by both the Department for Transport and the industry campaign programme team. Positive messages about the logistics sector and its career pathways have been spread amongst under-represented groups through the first year of the campaign. It exceeded expectations by achieving over 3.5 million engagements with social media activities and 789,000 visits to its online hub. Since establishing an Ambassadors Network, over 330 logistics professionals are now championing this important sector through engagement opportunities with young people. [1]

We consider Generation Logistics to have been successful in its aim of raising awareness of, and positive sentiment towards, the logistics sector. Following the launch of its second year in October, we continue to work closely with The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics UK, and all the campaign sponsors and partners, to ensure this messaging reaches young people in schools and colleges. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the campaign as it progresses through its second year to determine the merits of further funding.

[1] Year 1 campaign statistics provided by the programme team’s evaluation piece from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Logistics UK.


Written Question
Freight
Monday 25th September 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to seek examples and best practice in the formulation of freight and logistics plans.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department seeks to implement plans and policies that best support the UK freight and logistics sector. The 2022 ‘Future of Freight: A long-term plan’ was developed in close collaboration with industry and sets out a cross-modal approach towards a freight and logistics sector that is cost efficient, reliable, resilient, environmentally sustainable and valued by society.

Our ministers regularly engage the freight industry on the implementation of this plan along with other best practice issues; be this through fora such as DfT’s quarterly Freight Council and its delivery groups, or ad hoc discussions with industry leaders. My Department is also working collaboratively with industry to further invest in the sector, both by promoting its career opportunities through the Generation Logistics campaign, and in awarding £8million to improve lorry parking facilities. Additionally, we remain outward facing, sharing with and learning from international partners to ensure the UK freight network continues to protect our economic security.


Written Question
Logistics: Employment
Wednesday 20th September 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been any increase in the number of young people entering the logistics industry following their involvement in the Generation Logistics campaign.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Since launching in August 2022, we have assessed the Generation Logistics campaign is successfully raising awareness and improving perceptions of the logistics sector, which is why we are pleased to provide a further £300,000 of government funding for its second year.

The campaign has exceeded the original objectives set, with social media communications targeted at young people and other underrepresented groups having reached an audience of over 340 million people and visits to the campaign’s online hub totalling over 500,000. Alongside print advertisements, educational materials, and an Ambassadors Network of hundreds of professionals, these communications are ensuring young people better understand the importance of the logistics sector.

The campaign will continue to engage young people and will begin to support educators of 13-to-18-year-olds, laying the groundwork for the next generation of talent to enter the sector in the coming years.


Written Question
Logistics: Vacancies
Wednesday 20th September 2023

Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis they have conducted, if any, of shortage occupations in the logistics sector, ahead of the Christmas peak period.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department recently established a People and Skills Delivery Group to deliver on priority commitments within our published ‘Future of Freight: A Long-Term Plan’.

To support the work of this group, the Department has conducted an assessment of the freight and logistics sector workforce, to get a baseline on the health of the sector that the group will monitor over time. This forum will enable Government and industry to collectively identify any shortage occupations for the sector and collaborate on activity to ensure we have sufficient labour and skills pipeline year-round, examining factors such as training provision, awareness and perception, and terms and conditions.