Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ryanair's proposed requirement for all passengers to have digital boarding passes on (a) pensioners and (b) other passengers who do not possess a smartphone.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, airlines must ensure that their terms and conditions are fair, transparent, and do not place certain consumers at an unfair disadvantage. The CAA is responsible for ensuring airline compliance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) conducted a review of airline contract terms in 2019, including those relating to online check-in and the issuing of boarding passes. The review concluded that while online check-in requirements can be legitimate, such terms must be clearly communicated and any associated fees should be proportionate.
Ryanair continues to require all passengers to check in online. According to their new digital boarding pass policy, passengers without access to a smartphone can obtain a boarding pass for free at the airport as long as they have checked-in online.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of opening a driving test centre in St Neots.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will carry out an assessment of the impact of the regulatory changes to volumetric concrete mobile plants in 2018 on the construction industry.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for VCMs. Any potential changes to the current policy position on VCM weight limits will need to consider the implications for road safety, infrastructure, the environment, and maintaining fair competition in the market. The Department is currently reviewing the outcomes and will publish its findings in due course.