Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) details and (b) conditions of the grant and loans provided to Transport for London on 14 May 2020; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Much of the detail of the agreement was outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement laid by the Secretary of State for Transport on Monday 18 May. As is usual with funding letters between the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport, the letter is not published on the Department for Transport website.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure the longer-term sustainability of London Underground given the need to preserve social distancing and reduce passenger numbers on public transport due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Government messaging is clear that public transport should only be used when necessary and that social distancing should be followed in stations and on trains. Transport for London, in conjunction with Network Rail where appropriate, have developed station plans and implemented them across the network to manage travel demand. The funding agreement reached with the Mayor of London includes increasing service levels as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network, making sure those who have no alternative to public transport can travel safely. As part of the funding agreement reached with the Mayor of London, there will be a broad ranging government-led review of TfL's future financial position and future financial structure.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of restoring the direct grant to Transport for London to ensure the longer-term sustainability of that transport authority; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Government has reached agreement with the Mayor of London on a package of support which will allow Transport for London (TfL) to continue to operate essential services during the COVID 19 outbreak. This funding agreement includes increasing service levels as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network, making sure those who have no alternative to public transport can travel safely. As part of this agreement, there will be a broad ranging Government-led review of TfL's future financial position and future financial structure.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what advice his Department has provided to cab drivers on protecting themselves and their passengers from the transmission of covid-19; and what financial support the Government has provided to cab drivers to implement requisite protective measures.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Government has published transport guidance on the safe provision of transport services during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are separate guidance documents for transport providers and for passengers. Both guidance documents cover all modes. The guidance sets out Government recommendations on who should be traveling and under what circumstances, and how social distancing rules should be interpreted. It also includes information about cleaning practices. In addition, we have been in contact with industry bodies to support interpretation of the guidance for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector.
We are aware of the issues being faced by the taxi sector and are working with industry to understand the particular pressures they are facing. The Self-employment Income Support Scheme allows taxi and PHV drivers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the 3 months from April to June. This is a temporary scheme, but it may be extended.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking in response to the announcement by British Airways that the company will make 12,000 members of staff redundant.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
We recognise that this will be very distressing news for British Airways employees and their families.
The aviation sector is essential to the UK economy, and we encourage firms to draw on the unprecedented package of measures we have made available to support them through this time. This includes schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees.