Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Potholes Fund; and how many potholes have been repaired through the Potholes Fund since its establishment.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government provides funding for local highway authorities to carry out their statutory duties. It is up to them to determine how this funding is used on their highway networks. Funding for highways maintenance, including the Potholes Fund, is unringfenced; the Department does not collect statistics on the number of potholes filled by each local authority.
Further detail on how the Government plans to repair potholes was published on 17 November on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/8-billion-boost-to-repair-roads-and-back-drivers.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the context of overseas nationals and UK driver’s licences, what his Department’s policy is for (a) Ukrainian refugees and (b) other temporary overseas residents on the requirements to exchange non-GB licences for DVLA-issued licences.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Department for Transport appreciates the unique circumstances that Ukrainians who have come to the UK find themselves in and is exploring options to enable this group to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date his Department agreed its policy that Ukrainian refugees would be required to follow permanent vehicle importation processes for temporary stays in the UK of between six months and three years.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.
My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.
With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department made a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of (a) driver licensing and (b) vehicle registration requirements on (i) Ukrainian nationals with refugee status and (ii) other temporary overseas visitors resident in the UK.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.
My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.
With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the context of temporary importation of vehicles into the UK, if he will make it his policy for Ukrainian refugees to be treated in the same way as other temporary overseas residents, such as overseas students, in respect of exemption from permanent vehicle import and registration processes.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.
My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.
With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government has taken to coordinate policy on supporting Ukrainian refugees driving in the UK as temporary residents in the UK; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In recognition of the challenges their country faces in the fight against Russian aggression, it is my intention, wherever possible, to treat Ukrainian refugees as favourably as possible, rather than in the same way as other temporary residents.
Foreign registered vehicles brought temporarily into the UK by non-UK residents must generally be registered with the DVLA and issued with UK number plates to enable enforcement and ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
In November this Department and associated agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA) acknowledged the unique nature of Ukrainians arrival in the UK and made provision to allow some temporary modifications to be made to vehicles, within existing legislation, in certain circumstances where an IVA is required, for example by allowing the use of beam deflector stickers. This decision was made to balance Ukrainians’ unique circumstances, whilst importantly ensuring road safety for all other drivers and road users. Dedicated Department for Transport (DfT) personnel have also been assigned to support Ukrainians who wish to register their vehicle, and the DfT has published detailed guidance to clearly outline the process. The dedicated resource can be accessed by contacting DVLA, DVSA or VCA as appropriate depending on the nature of the enquiry and as outlined in the guidance.
My Department continues to explore options for how it can support the Ukrainian community in the UK, and officials are also working across Whitehall to identify action that can be taken in relation to temporary admission and vehicle registration.
With regards to Driving licenses, my Department is exploring options to enable those Ukrainians that fled here to be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licences for longer, and minimise the administrative burden they face and will keep this House and the Ukrainian community in the UK updated on this work.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the context of temporary importation of vehicles into the UK by Ukrainian refugees, if he will make it his policy that vehicle safety compliance is conducted through the MOT inspection process for all vehicles being imported on a temporary basis.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Legislation requires imported vehicles submitted for licensing and registration (which are less than 10 years old) to undergo an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection, as well as an MOT. The IVA for personal imports is already a lighter touch than that for commercial imports, and I have instructed DVSA to provide easements to minimise the burden for Ukrainian refugees whilst maintaining safety.
Legislation requires a speedometer on a vehicle registered in UK to be capable of reading in miles per hour (mph). Many vehicles can show speed which can be changed by the user (or their garage) between mph and kph. Other vehicles can be modified by the addition of a simple mph scale.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the context of temporary importation of vehicles into the UK by Ukrainian refugees, if he will make it his policy to waive the need to replace the speedometer under the GB Conversion IVA certificate process.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Legislation requires imported vehicles submitted for licensing and registration (which are less than 10 years old) to undergo an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection, as well as an MOT. The IVA for personal imports is already a lighter touch than that for commercial imports, and I have instructed DVSA to provide easements to minimise the burden for Ukrainian refugees whilst maintaining safety.
Legislation requires a speedometer on a vehicle registered in UK to be capable of reading in miles per hour (mph). Many vehicles can show speed which can be changed by the user (or their garage) between mph and kph. Other vehicles can be modified by the addition of a simple mph scale.
Asked by: Siobhain McDonagh (Labour - Mitcham and Morden)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether officials in his Department have held discussions with representatives of the car insurance sector on provisions for Ukrainian refugees, including on insurance premiums for vehicle models imported on a temporary basis from Ukraine.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Officials regularly liaise with representatives of the insurance industry to discuss issues, including around support for Ukraine.