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Written Question
Shipping: Conditions of Employment
Tuesday 30th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made implementing the nine-point plan for seafarers published on 6 July 2022.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has made substantial progress on implementing its Nine Point Plan for Seafarer Protections. The UK continues to play a leading global role in improving seafarer welfare.


Written Question
Train Operating Companies: Contracts
Monday 29th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on which train operating companies have engaged external contractors for revenue protection (a) on trains and (b) at stations.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

My Department is aware that external contractors to support improved revene protection have been engaged for Chiltern and Northern on trains and for Southeastern, Chiltern, Northern and Govia Thameslink Railway at stations. It is important that train operating companies are protecting revenue and that passengers are paying for their fare, reducing the subsidy from taxpayers into the railway. Over the last three years, the Government has contributed £45.9bn, just over £1,500 per household, to the running of the railways which is unsustainable.


Written Question
Shipping: Isle of Man
Thursday 25th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had discussions with the Isle of Man Government on employment practices on Isle of Man Steam Packet Company passenger ships that use UK ports.

Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My Department has had no such discussions.


Written Question
Railways: Postal Services
Thursday 25th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions have taken place between his Department, Royal Mail Group Ltd, and rolling stock leasing companies on future rail freight capacity for (a) parcels and (b) letter traffic.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

My officials have had general discussions with rail freight industry stakeholders, including a rolling stock leasing company, on various initiatives stakeholders are planning or undertaking for transporting parcels and letters by rail freight. Express Freight was identified as an emerging core market in our recently announced rail freight growth target and we are keen to support its development. In 2022 Varamis Ltd was awarded a grant through our ‘First of a Kind’ initiative to support its activities in developing express rail freight.


Written Question
Avanti West Coast: Communication
Thursday 25th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with Avanti West Coast on their internal communications strategy since 10 January 2024.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Senior officials are having discussions with Avanti West Coast relating to recent issues following an internal presentation that was leaked which concerned its contractual Service Quality Regime. Ministers and senior officials are alsospeaking to First Rail Holdings (Avanti’s parent company).


Written Question
Fujitsu: Contracts
Thursday 18th January 2024

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) number and (b) individual value of contracts with Fujitsu entered into by (i) executive agencies of the Department for Transport, (ii) the Northern Lighthouse Board, (iii) Trinity House, (iv) the Civil Aviation Authority and (v) the British Transport Police Authority since 2012.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

I can confirm that currently there are no live contracts between Fujitsu and the entities you have listed.


Written Question
Railways: North of England
Monday 18th December 2023

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Network North: Transforming British Transport, published in October 2023, what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequentials to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales as a result of the proposals contained in that document.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Network North announcement is being funded by redirecting HS2 funding. The Barnett formula will continue to apply in the usual way.

To note any changes to devolved administration funding will be confirmed at relevant fiscal events and Estimates. All fiscal decisions are a matter for HM Treasury


Written Question
High Speed 2 Line: Scotland
Monday 4th December 2023

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the total Barnett consequentials due to Scotland with the completion of Phases 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 of High Speed 2.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Barnett consequentials will continue to apply in the usual way for all three devolved administrations as set out in the published Statement of Funding Policy document. All decisions on Barnett consequentials beyond the Spending Round 2021 period will be taken at the next Spending Round.


Written Question
High Speed 2 Line: Scotland
Monday 4th December 2023

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department made of the Barnett consequentials for Scotland of expenditure on High Speed 2 as of 3 October 2023.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Barnett consequentials will continue to apply in the usual way for all three devolved administrations as set out in the published Statement of Funding Policy document. All decisions on Barnett consequentials beyond the Spending Round 2021 period will be taken at the next Spending Round.


Written Question
High Speed 2 Line: Scotland
Monday 4th December 2023

Asked by: Gavin Newlands (Scottish National Party - Paisley and Renfrewshire North)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the Barnett consequential funding for Scotland following completion of Phase 1 of High Speed 2.

Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Barnett consequentials will continue to apply in the usual way for all three devolved administrations as set out in the published Statement of Funding Policy document. All decisions on Barnett consequentials beyond the Spending Round 2021 period will be taken at the next Spending Round.