Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what system is in place to organise and trace applications submitted to the DVLA; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
On 9 March 2022, the total number of paper applications awaiting processing at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was 898,673. This is a significant reduction from the peak of 1.6 million in September 2021. It is important to note that the DVLA normally has around 400,000 paper applications awaiting processing at any one time as the DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail and thousands of new applications each day.
The quickest and easiest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham. These measures are having a positive impact and customers should continue to see an improving picture in terms of waiting times for paper applications. Applications where the driver has a medical condition that must be investigated before a licence can be issued will take longer.
Paper applications sent to the DVLA are organised using more than 30 post codes to differentiate between different types of application. These are kept separate and are processed in the order in which they are received. This aids the DVLA in trying to locate an application if necessary.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the data his Department holds on the size of the backlog of applications to the DVLA; and what steps he is taking to reduce that backlog.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
On 9 March 2022, the total number of paper applications awaiting processing at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) was 898,673. This is a significant reduction from the peak of 1.6 million in September 2021. It is important to note that the DVLA normally has around 400,000 paper applications awaiting processing at any one time as the DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail and thousands of new applications each day.
The quickest and easiest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their documents within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application. To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham. These measures are having a positive impact and customers should continue to see an improving picture in terms of waiting times for paper applications. Applications where the driver has a medical condition that must be investigated before a licence can be issued will take longer.
Paper applications sent to the DVLA are organised using more than 30 post codes to differentiate between different types of application. These are kept separate and are processed in the order in which they are received. This aids the DVLA in trying to locate an application if necessary.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend eligibility for the 50 per cent discount on train travel provided by the 16 to 17 saver rail card to students for the whole of the academic year in which they turn 18; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Wendy Morton
In 2019 we introduced the 16-17 Saver effectively extending half-price child fares to young people aged 16 and 17. Young people are required to continue in education, employment or training until the age of 18. The introduction of the 16-17 Saver means that they have access to half-price rail travel for the entirety of that period. On turning 18, young people can then take advantage of the 16-25 Railcard offering up to a third off most rail fares. We have no plans to extend or change the validity of the 16-17 Saver at this time.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in what year the Class 313 trains serving Brighton and Hove and the South East Coastway lines were built; what plans he has to replace them; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Class 313 units were introduced into passenger traffic by British Rail in 1976. Whilst we expect rolling stock to meet the needs of passengers, this is currently a matter for the operator to ensure that the rolling stock it deploys is appropriate for the services operated.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the statement in the letter dated 2 November 2021 from the Minister of State for Transport to the Transport Select Committee that the outputs of the investigations into the failure of London & South Eastern Railway Limited to declare over £25 million of taxpayer's money will be a relevant factor in respect of decisions on the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern contract due to expire on 1 April 2022, whether the LSER investigations will report before 1 April 2022; by what date he requires the outcomes of those investigations for them to be included as a relevant factor in respect of his decision on the TSGN contract; if he will make it his policy to bring the operation of the Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise into public hands; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The Independent Committee, formed by the Chairs of London and Southeastern Railway’s joint-owning groups, Go-Ahead and Keolis, has now provided the Department with its final report. The Department is carefully considering the contents of the final report and next steps are being worked through as a priority with key decisions expected to be confirmed shortly. The Department continues to progress discussions with Govia Thameslink Railway on a new National Rail Contract to operate Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise, but the outputs of the final report will help determine if it is appropriate to enter into this contract.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 June 2021 to Question 19564, if he will make it his policy to make available a flexible season ticket that is significantly better value than single tickets with a network card for commuters travelling from Brighton to London and back in a day; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The flexible season ticket is a national product, priced to provide better value and convenience for commuters travelling two to three days a week, mainly at peak times. The Network Railcard is not valid in the peak, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), therefore it is not available for peak-time commuting. Passengers are encouraged to consider which product best suits their journey and travel patterns.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to (a) inform people about and (b) encourage people to comply with the requirement to wear a face covering when travelling inside a public transport vehicle and when in indoor transport hubs in England, unless they are exempt or have a reasonable excuse; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, which set out the requirement to wear face coverings on public transport, unless exempt, the Government has published updated safer travel guidance, issued communications and worked closely with transport operators to disseminate this information to the public.
We trust that the public will comply with this requirement and continue to play their part in supporting the country through the pandemic.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to require the DVLA to return identity documents to applicants via a tracked postal method that allow people to reclaim fees for replacements if lost in the post; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
There are no plans for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to routinely return identity documents via a tracked postal method. The DVLA advises applicants that if they enclose a stamped, self-addressed special delivery or signed for envelope with their application, documents will be returned in those envelopes. This information is shown on the DVLA’s application forms.
In January, the DVLA introduced a facility for foreign nationals to evidence their identity and residency digitally. Those who have been issued with digital confirmation of their immigration status by the Home Office can generate a nine-digit share code through the View & Prove your immigration status service which can be used support an application for a driving licence. This will reduce the number of physical identity documents that need to be sent to the DVLA.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2021 to Question 19562 on Parking: Pedestrian Areas and with reference to his Department's consultation on managing pavement parking which closed on 22 November 2020, whether his Department has concluded its consideration of the consultation findings; whether that consideration remains a priority for his Department; when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation; whether he plans to bring forward proposals to amend existing pavement parking legislation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
In the light of the consultation findings Ministers are actively considering the options for addressing pavement parking. This remains a priority for us and we will publish the consultation response and announce next steps as soon as possible.
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to make face coverings mandatory with exemptions for people who cannot wear them on public transport to reduce transmission of covid-19; by what means he is assessing the extent to which the Government recommendation to continue wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you don’t usually meet is being adhered to on public transport; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The success of the vaccination programme meant that at Step 4 of the Roadmap we were able to move away from legal restrictions. However, Government guidance sets out that members of the public should wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed areas where they come into contact with people they do not normally meet.