Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to increase the number of HGV drivers.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
We are supporting the development of apprenticeships, including a standard to train lorry drivers. A revised standard will be available in August attracting £7,000 in apprenticeship levy funding.
The Department for Work and Pensions is developing a scheme to train jobseekers in HGV driving. The Flexible Support Fund is available to help the unemployed or those in receipt of Universal Credit renew their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
The Department has provided a grant for the non-profit initiative Road to Logistics to train military service leavers, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed to move into jobs in the logistics sector, including lorry driving.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the impact of the introduction of IR35 on the number of HGV drivers; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The IR35 off-payroll working rules ensure that individuals working like employees but through their own limited company, or other intermediary, pay broadly the same Income Tax and National Insurance contributions as individuals who are directly employed.
Non-compliance with these rules was widespread and would have cost the Exchequer an estimated £1.3 billion per year by 2023/24 if not addressed.
The Government delayed the introduction of the rules to April 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. HMRC will be providing support to organisations to enable compliance with the changes to the off-payroll working rules.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support he is providing to the haulage sector following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Department for Transport’s assessment is that the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) allows for the vast majority of UK haulage operations to and from the EU to continue as they did before the end of the transition period. In addition, the Department has worked closely with the sector to prepare for the end of the transition period on areas such as market access and border readiness. Ministers continue to meet regularly with the sector to discuss implementation of the agreement.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of making specific financial support available for coach operators during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
Coach operators are able to access a range of financial support measures available to UK businesses.
In April, the Government granted an additional £425 million to local authorities in England through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) fund. ARG funding is aimed at supporting businesses which are experiencing a severe impact on their business due to public health restrictions. While this funding is allocated at the discretion of local authorities, the Government has issued guidance to councils encouraging them to consider tour operators among the businesses eligible for support.
The Government has also launched a Recovery Loan Scheme, which ensures that businesses of any size can continue to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £10 million per business.
As we progress safely through the steps of the Roadmap, the Government will continue to engage with coach operators and with tourism stakeholders to assess how it can support the coach sector’s recovery in the long-term.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the adequacy of financial support available to travel companies during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Robert Courts
The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the international travel sector because of Covid-19. Firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor.
The Department for Transport works closely with HM Treasury on matters related to support for the transport sector. We continue to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review. Ongoing engagement with the sector is critical for the Government to be prepared and able to react in a timely manner.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions officials in his Department have had with officials in HM Treasury on removing VAT from the price of covid-19 PCR tests.
Answered by Robert Courts
My officials have discussed a number of options with HMT officials to reduce the cost of testing for international travel, which have seen significant reductions over the last few months. Decisions on tax policy rest with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will convene an urgent meeting of the Northern Transport Acceleration Council to discuss the work of the Manchester Recovery Task Force.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
I will convene a meeting of the Northern Transport Acceleration Council to take place once local elections have taken place. I have asked my officials, including the Acceleration Unit, to arrange a date.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of proposals to introduce Graduated Driving Licensing for people aged over 70 on the independent personal mobility of older drivers.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
The Government has no plans to introduce graduated driving licenses for drivers aged 70 or over.
It is the law that all drivers must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency about any medical conditions which might affect their driving. This rule remains unchanged.
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness that owners of tax-free vehicles must register their vehicle with the DVLA.
Answered by Baroness Maclean of Redditch
By law, all mechanically propelled vehicles that are used on public roads must be registered and licensed. Information about registration and licensing is available on GOV.UK and can be found https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration
In 2019, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency introduced a vehicle excise duty reminder form specifically for vehicles that are subject to a zero rate of vehicle excise duty. The reminder is sent shortly before a vehicle needs to be relicensed and it advises vehicle keepers that they are responsible for making sure that their vehicle is licensed even where there is no payment required. Information on how to relicense a vehicle, including those that attract a zero rate of vehicle excise duty, can be found on GOV.UK Tax your vehicle - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Asked by: Dan Jarvis (Labour - Barnsley North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a Department for Transport North.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The Department is exploring options for expanding its presence in the regions and nations of the UK as part of the Government’s commitment to move 22,000 civil service roles out of London by 2030. These options include locations in the north of England. We will announce our plans once finalised.