Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the amount (a) his Department and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on procurement was paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (i) directly and (ii) through the supply chain in the last year for which figures are available.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government has overhauled public procurement to open it up to businesses of all sizes. On 25 February 2015, we announced that central government spent an unprecedented £11.4 billion with SMEs in 2013-14, a record 26.1% of direct and indirect spend. This meets our aspiration, set in 2010, that 25% of government procurement spend would be with SMEs by the end of this Parliament.
The data on central government spend with SMEs in 2013-14 is available on the GOV.UK website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/central-government-spend-with-smes-2013-to-2014
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many apprentices employed by (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies and associated bodies are aged (i) 16 to 18, (ii) 19 to 24 and (iii) 25 years or older; and how many of those apprentices employed in each form of body and of each age group were previously employed by the Government.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department is strongly committed to supporting the recruitment of apprentices.
The table below shows how many apprentices are employed by (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies in the age groups (i) 16 to 18, (ii) 19 to 24 and (iii) 25 years or older.
Age Group | DfT(c) | DVSA | VCA | MCA | DVLA | HA | Total |
(i)16-18 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 13 | |||
(ii)19-24 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 29 | 54 | |
(iii)25 plus | 1 | 6 | 7 | ||||
Total | 2 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 43 | 74 |
The above figures relate to apprentices who were recruited into the Department. We do not hold data on whether they were previously employed by the Government.
The figures for the associated bodies are not held centrally.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had discussions with Transport for London in the last 12 months on that body taking a greater role in the operation of inner suburban train services.
Answered by Claire Perry
Over the past 12 months, the Department has had extensive discussions with Transport for London (TfL) on the devolution of West Anglia suburban services in north east London. These discussions are nearing completion and we expect to make an announcement in the near future.
Firm plans are in place for the devolution of Great Western and Great Eastern rail services to TfL in preparation for the full operation of Crossrail.
The Department has had no further detailed or specific discussions on rail devolution with TfL during the last 12 months.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research his Department holds on the performance of (a) the Southern rail franchise, (b) the Southeastern rail franchise and (c) services on the Thameslink route.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department monitors daily and periodic performance reports from Network Rail and each individual Train Operating Company (TOC) and the information received in the National Rail Passenger Survey, published by Passenger Focus, which provides information on passengers’ views on the services of train operators.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had with Network Rail since Christmas 2014 to discuss the quality of rail services in South London (a) in general and (b) relating to London Bridge and Victoria stations.
Answered by Claire Perry
Since Christmas, I and other transport Ministers have had multiple discussions with Network Rail and the train operators about a range of issues, including the impact of the recent changes at London Bridge, which is going through a £1bn upgrade project, on train services to that and other main line stations in South London. I am currently holding a series of performance summits with Network Rail and operators for MPs in South London and other lines.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what meetings he has had in the last 12 months with representatives of rail franchises operating in South London.
Answered by Claire Perry
During the last year, I and other transport Ministers have held regular meetings with the representatives of a number of train operating companies, including Southern, Southeastern, Southwest Trains and GTR. I am currently holding a series of performance summits with Network Rail and operators for MPs in South London and other lines.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Southern rail is complying with the terms of its franchise; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department monitors the company’s compliance, both in terms of operational performance and in the delivery of its other franchise obligations. Based on current information the Department has not identified any contractual compliance failures.
Asked by: Chuka Umunna (Liberal Democrat - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the sufficiency of the transport links in the Streatham area; what plans he has to improve transport in that area; what research his Department has done on projects that might improve transport within the Streatham area; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Stephen Hammond
Under devolution, transport in London is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL).
The Government is providing over £10 billion to TfL during this Parliament, to support a significant enhancement of London's transport infrastructure.
Network Rail is currently undertaking a Sussex Route study, to develop options for improvements on rail services in the Streatham area. It is due to report its findings next year.
Residents and transport users in Streatham will also benefit from the higher capacity trains that will operate across the Thameslink network. Furthermore, as part of the new franchise, there are proposals to provide two additional trains in the peak.