Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the backlog of correspondence at the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency on correspondents; what strategy is in place to clear that backlog; what discretion will be in place for people who have been affected by the backlog; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The quickest and easiest way to make an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (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. The DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day and industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union has led to delays for customers alongside a significantly reduced number of staff on site to ensure social distancing in line with Welsh Government requirements. The current increased demand for the DVLA’s services has also contributed to delays with paper applications.
The DVLA understands the impact that delays can have on people’s everyday lives and is working as quickly as possible to process applications and return people’s documentation to them.
The DVLA continues to explore opportunities to reduce the backlog. The DVLA has introduced additional online services and recruited additional staff. The DVLA is exploring the possibility of securing extra office space to house more staff to work predominantly on driver’s medical casework and queries. This will be surge capacity accommodation and resource to help reduce backlogs while providing future resilience and business continuity.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the validity of driving licences for foreign nationals from the US who are eligible to drive in the UK for 12 months before requiring a theory test in the context of disruption caused by the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
After becoming resident in Great Britain, foreign licence holders from outside the European Economic Area can drive all classes of small vehicle, motorcycle and moped to which their domestic licence applies for up to 12 months. After this time, unless they have a licence from certain designated countries/territories, they are required to take a GB driving test. A list of the designated countries can be found here. The 12-month limit is set in law and there are no current plans to change it.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will update the Government's online guidance for people driving in the UK on an EU licence to reflect the changes as a result of the end of the transition period.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Some discussions are still ongoing with Member States around the exchange of driving licences. Gov.uk pages, including the pages “Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence” and “Exchange a foreign driving licence” will be updated as information becomes available.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to establish an air bridge for tourists between the UK and Thailand.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Our approach to travel corridors has been guided by the science and we have worked closely with health and policy experts from across government to ensure the steps we are taking will minimise the risk of importing COVID-19 cases, while helping to open our travel and tourism sector.
Although Thailand was not included in the travel corridors announced on 3 July, the Health Regulations relating to the self-isolation requirements remain under constant review. The next formal review will be on 27 July 2020.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing into the airline industry a delay-repay scheme similar to that in the rail industry; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Strong levels of consumer protection are already in place for air passengers under EC Regulation 261/2004 which apply to delays, and the UK will not fall below current standards of protection when we leave the EU. As part of the Aviation Strategy, the Government plans to raise awareness and clarify the current compensation arrangements for air passengers in the event of delay, cancellation or denied boarding. The Department for Transport will publish its final Aviation Strategy in mid-2019.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to commence the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2004 on the penalties for vehicles encroaching on cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Andrew Jones
I believe that the Honourable Member is referring to the Traffic Management Act 2004. It is true that powers for enforcement of moving traffic contraventions, by local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004, have not yet been brought into force outside London (other than the existing powers to enforce contraventions in a bus lane). The Department for Transport’s view is that the Police already have the necessary powers to take action where it is needed. I can confirm that there are no current plans to give local authorities greater powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that toxic emissions are monitored effectively during MOT testing.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The current test has been amended over recent years to introduce lower emission limits. The removal of after treatment devices, such as diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction devices, have been added to the list of reasons why a vehicle would fail its MOT.
In May 2018, the opacity limits for diesel vehicles will be tightened for newer diesel vehicles.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to meet the air pollution targets set out in the EU's 2008 ambient air quality directive.
Answered by John Hayes
Tackling air pollution is a priority for the Government. The UK currently meets the legal limits for almost all pollutants except nitrogen dioxide (NO2), but we recognise that further work is still needed, particularly to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in some towns and cities. Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.
That is why we have committed more than £2 billion to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) and support greener transport schemes. In addition, the Chancellor announced a further £290 million to support electric vehicles, low emission buses and taxis, and alternative fuels in the 2016 Autumn Statement.
The Government established the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) between the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2016 to deliver the National Air Quality Plan for NO2, which was published in December 2015.
In light of both updated information on real world emissions from diesel vehicles and the High Court judgement last year, we will be publishing a revised air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide shortly. The consultation will address the measures needed to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations.
In addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is developing a new UK air quality strategy. This is to tackle the five main pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particulate matter. The UK has agreed legally binding national ceilings for emissions of these pollutants by 2020 and 2030. The Government is considering how all sectors of the UK economy can contribute to these ambitious targets.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make it its policy to subsidise the retrofitting of diesel particulate filters to diesel vehicles.
Answered by John Hayes
Tackling air pollution is a priority for the Government. The UK currently meets the legal limits for almost all pollutants, but we recognise that further work is still needed, particularly to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in some towns and cities.
That is why this Government has committed more than £2 billion since 2011 to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, support greener transport schemes and set out how we will improve air quality through a new programme of Clean Air Zones.
The use of advanced technologies to reduce emissions from vehicles does form part of our approach. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) are important elements of improving the real world control of NOx and particulate emissions from new vehicles and, where retrofitted, from existing models.
In light of both updated information on real world emissions from diesel vehicles and the High Court judgement last year, we will be publishing a revised air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide shortly. The consultation will address the measures needed to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations.
Asked by: Ian Murray (Labour - Edinburgh South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will introduce real-world emissions testing of vehicles.
Answered by John Hayes
The Department for Transport undertook real-world emissions testing of Euro 5 and 6 diesel cars and the results were published in the Vehicle Emissions Testing report in April 2016. Further real-world emissions testing of other vehicle types is being undertaken by the Market Surveillance Unit and will be published later this year. Additionally, the government has been at the forefront of calls for the introduction of tougher emissions testing at a European level and the new Real Driving Emissions tests will come into force for all new car models from September this year.