Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a television advertising campaign to help to raise awareness of the changes to the Highway Code which came into effect on 29th January 2022.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
The changes to The Highway Code to help improve road safety for people walking, cycling and horse riding have been communicated in two phases:
Both phases of the campaign were supported by a significant media spend, using channels such as radio, digital audio, video on demand and social media advertising.
Specialist media planners and buyers are commissioned to secure the optimum and most cost-effective media placement for our messaging. The campaign plan used contextual opportunities, raising awareness at the point of the behaviour, as well as priming opportunities to diffuse tensions and build empathy and understanding amongst road user groups. Channels were selected that were able to build high levels of reach and frequency amongst the target audiences to deliver both message take-out and planned behaviour change.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how long it takes for people to apply to the DVLA for car tax via post where they are eligible to receive a discount due to receiving benefits and ineligible to apply online or at the Post Office.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
All postal applications for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are being processed within normal turnaround times of 10 working days.
Data on the number of applications received from customers eligible for a reduction in VED due to receiving benefits is not available.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people who apply to the DVLA for car tax are eligible for a discount due to receiving benefits.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
All postal applications for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are being processed within normal turnaround times of 10 working days.
Data on the number of applications received from customers eligible for a reduction in VED due to receiving benefits is not available.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) financial and (b) accessibility impacts for disabled drivers of the process of applying for a reduced rate of vehicle tax.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) considers the potential impacts on those with protected characteristics when developing and revising policies, processes or services.
Customers in receipt of the enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are able to apply for a vehicle tax exemption on-line or via the Post Office.
The introduction of a similar service for individuals in receipt of the standard rate of PIP to license their vehicle at the reduced rate is more complex. The DVLA is exploring ways of improving the process for payments of vehicle tax for individuals in receipt of the standard rate of PIP with a view to making it easier for customers.
In the meantime, a service is in place which allows customers in receipt of the standard mobility component of PIP to apply directly to the DVLA to license
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to accept applications for vehicle tax at a reduced rate when purchasing (a) online or (b) at Post Office branches.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) considers the potential impacts on those with protected characteristics when developing and revising policies, processes or services.
Customers in receipt of the enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are able to apply for a vehicle tax exemption on-line or via the Post Office.
The introduction of a similar service for individuals in receipt of the standard rate of PIP to license their vehicle at the reduced rate is more complex. The DVLA is exploring ways of improving the process for payments of vehicle tax for individuals in receipt of the standard rate of PIP with a view to making it easier for customers.
In the meantime, a service is in place which allows customers in receipt of the standard mobility component of PIP to apply directly to the DVLA to license
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many electric vehicles were registered in Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency in the most recent period for which records are available.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
At the end of September 2021, there were 408 battery electric vehicles licensed to an address in the Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency, which comprised of 367 cars and 41 other vehicles.
Asked by: Martyn Day (Scottish National Party - Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making insurance a legal requirement for cyclists.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Cyclists are encouraged, but not required, to take out some form of insurance, and many cyclists have insurance cover through their membership of cycling organisations. All cyclists are required to obey the rules of the road, and the fact that a cyclist is not insured does not prevent them from being liable for the consequences of their actions. The police, and ultimately the courts, can take into account all the circumstances of an incident and judge accordingly.