Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the directors of First Trenitalia West Coast, Alstom Transport Ltd or Atalian Servest are entitled to any form of free rail travel or rail staff travel facilities.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Ltd Directors do have rail travel for work and private purposes as part of their employment benefits.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the national statistics for Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry published on 22 February 2022, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) UK and (b) non-UK resident seafarers employed on workboats or crew transfer vessels in the offshore renewables sector.
Answered by Robert Courts
The Department does not hold data on seafarers by country of residence, or for individual vessels or sectors. Some estimates of seafarers by nationality are available in the published statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seafarers-in-the-uk-shipping-industry-2021/seafarers-in-the-uk-shipping-industry-2021
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/seafarer-statistics-sfr
Those working on smaller vessels, such as those belonging to the National Workboat Association are unlikely to be covered in the UK seafarer figures and no estimate is available.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the national statistics for Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry published on 22 February 2022, what steps he is taking to increase the number of UK-based ratings employed on (a) domestic and (b) international routes in the UK shipping industry.
Answered by Robert Courts
Measures such as the amendments to the national minimum wage and the points-based visa system will increase opportunities for UK seafarers in the UK domestic market and set a minimum salary level.
We remain committed to the training of ratings. A range of apprenticeships are available for UK ratings, all have been established over recent years. Apprenticeships policy is devolved so there are different ratings apprenticeships available in England and Scotland.
In England, Able Seafarer (Deck), Maritime Electrical/Mechanical Mechanic and Maritime Caterer are offered. In Scotland, Deck Rating, Engine Room Rating and Hospitality with Maritime Enhancements are available.
Over the last five years the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has introduced a more flexible pathway for UK seafarers to qualify as ratings. By allowing the qualifying seagoing service to take place in categorised waters and on smaller vessels of at least 15 metres, the MCA have allowed those working on workboats, domestic ferries, yachts and other smaller vessel to qualify as an STCW rating.
These measures will improve employment opportunities for UK ratings both domestically and internationally.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference the national statistics for Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry published on 22 February 2022, what the response rate was to the Seafarer Employment Survey conducted by the UK Chamber of Shipping.
Answered by Robert Courts
Information on the response rate for the Seafarer Employment Survey conducted by the UK Chamber of Shipping can be found in section 3 of the Seafarers in the UK shipping industry statistical release. The survey response rate of companies in the scope of the survey in 2021 was 87%, a similar response rate to 2020.
An adjustment method has been developed and applied to the data collected to account for non-response in the survey. Although the Chamber of Shipping data does not provide a complete coverage of the UK shipping industry, the statistics represent the best current estimate.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed (a) Liverpool and (b) Heathrow airport expansions on (i) levels of UK carbon emissions and (ii) the ability of the Government to meet its targets on reducing those emissions.
Answered by Robert Courts
The Government is supportive of airport expansion where it can be delivered within our environmental obligations. We welcome the efforts of airports across the UK to come forward with ambitious proposals to invest in their infrastructure.
Every development proposal is judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations.
The aviation sector has a critical role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which set out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. Our consultation includes scenarios that achieve our net zero target by focussing on new fuels and technology. We are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been carried out on the potential effect of increased pollution, noise and emissions from Liverpool's proposed airport expansion on people's physical and mental health.
Answered by Robert Courts
The Government is supportive of airport expansion where it can be delivered within our environmental obligations. We welcome the efforts of airports across the UK to come forward with ambitious proposals to invest in their infrastructure.
Every development proposal is judged by the relevant planning authority, taking careful account of all relevant considerations, including environmental impacts and proposed mitigations.
The aviation sector has a critical role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero commitment. In July 2021, we published the Jet Zero Consultation which set out our vision for the aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050. Our consultation includes scenarios that achieve our net zero target by focussing on new fuels and technology. We are carefully considering consultation responses in the development of our final Jet Zero Strategy which we aim to publish later this year.