Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take further steps to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
In March we published Taking Charge, our ambitious strategy for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure which aims to make charging an EV easier, simpler, cheaper and more convenient than refuelling a petrol or diesel car wherever you live.
We have already changed building regulations to require chargepoint infrastructure in new homes and residential buildings. In the coming months we will be taking forward the other measures outlined in the strategy. This includes the new £450 million Local EV Infrastructure Fund which will support local authorities, working with industry, to deliver chargepoints for drivers without off-street parking. We will also be reforming our Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme to focus on renters, leaseholders and those living in flats and expanding our workplace charging scheme.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
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 bringing forward legislative proposals to make it mandatory for drivers to report a collision with a cat.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government has made no assessment of the potential merits of introducing a legal requirement for drivers to stop and report collisions with cats. A focus for this Government is to make roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals.
Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, a driver is required to stop and report an accident involving specified animals including horses, cattle, asses, mules, sheep, pigs, goats or dogs, but not cats or wild animals. This requirement arises from their status as working animals rather than as domestic pets. To introduce such a measure within the provision of section 170, would require primary legislation.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to introduce schemes for the funding of demand responsive transport in suburban areas.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Our Rural Mobility Fund supports suburban demand responsive transport pilots. Bus Service Improvement Plan funding will further support such schemes.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a frequent flyer levy.
Answered by Robert Courts
Taxation is a matter for HM Treasury (HMT) which includes consideration of a frequent flyer levy.
Last year, the Government consulted on aviation tax reform and as part of this sought views on whether a frequent flyer levy could replace APD as the principal tax on the aviation sector.
Following the consultation, the Government published a response which outlined that it was minded to retain APD as the principal tax on the aviation sector.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will conduct a review of colour vision regulations for commercial pilots in the UK.
Answered by Robert Courts
The DfT and the CAA have previously considered colour vision policy and are of the view that the current policy is fit for purpose. The current tests used to establish colour vision thresholds is scientifically validated and allows for significantly more colour deficient pilots to fly compared to historical tests. The UK regime is also more liberal compared to some European states.
The government remains committed to improving UK aviation policy and ensuring the aviation sector remains diverse and inclusive. However, all our decisions are evidence-based and there is currently no evidence indicating a change in policy in this area is necessary.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date he plans to bring forward legislation on prohibiting Russian vessels from entering UK ports.
Answered by Robert Courts
Tuesday 1 March 2022. This was a vital measure to take in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The Government has acted decisively.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports of airlines flying empty flights to retain slots; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of changing landing slot rights to prevent airlines flying planes empty.
Answered by Robert Courts
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on air passenger demand. Following a review of the latest available evidence and consultation with the aviation industry, Ministers have decided that further alleviation from slot rules is necessary to support the aviation industry’s financial position, protect connectivity and reduce the risk that airlines operate environmentally damaging empty or near-empty flights.
While aviation demand remained considerably suppressed the rules requiring airlines to use slots in order to retain them were fully suspended for the Summer 2020, Winter 2020/21 and Summer 2021 seasons.
As the pandemic has gone on and aviation demand has increased, the Government wants to encourage recovery. In the Winter 2021/22 Season, which will last until 27 March 2022, we have set the usage requirement for slots at 50% and gave airlines the option of handing back slot series that they were not intending to use before the season started to allow other airlines to use them.
A draft Statutory Instrument setting out arrangements for Summer 2022 was published on 24 January 2022. To reduce the risk of airlines operating environmentally damaging empty or near-empty flights, this legislation includes an enhanced justified non-utilisation provision, meaning that airlines will not be required to operate slots where markets are substantively closed to passenger traffic.
The UK’s exit from the EU means that we have been able to take a more tailored approach that reflect the UK’s specific circumstances. Whilst these slot alleviation measures to avoid flying or near-empty flights to retain slots are only temporary, as part of the Government’s future aviation policy we are actively looking at permanent reform to the airport slot allocation process.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that guide dog owners are not illegally turned away by taxis.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Assistance dogs play a vital role in the lives of their owners, enabling them to live independently, confidently and safely. It is unacceptable that some taxi and PHV drivers continue to refuse them carriage.
Effective training is important for helping drivers to assist disabled passengers appropriately, and in December 2020, we launched the REAL training package of disability equality training to improve the transport sector’s confidence and skills in delivering inclusive journeys for disabled passengers.
The Government also remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.
In the meantime, we will shortly publish for consultation updated best practice guidance for local licensing authorities, including a strong recommendation that taxi and PHV drivers are required to complete disability awareness training.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending blue badge eligibility to people undergoing treatment for cancer.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping those with permanent mobility issues, access the goods and services they need to use. Applications are not dependent upon condition, but are based on the need of the applicant to park closer to their destination. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria. The Department has recently made changes to the online application process to make it easier and quicker for some people with life limiting diagnoses to receive a badge.
Asked by: Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 6 December 2021 to Question 84419 on Mexico: Coronavirus, what recent discussions he has had with his Mexican counterpart on reports that citizens of Mexico are unable to have their covid-19 vaccination status recognised by the UK.
Answered by Robert Courts
As set out in the response on 6 December, the Government is taking a phased approach to the rollout of our inbound vaccination programme and will continue to work with international partners to expand the policy to more countries and territories where it is safe to do so. Vaccine certification between countries and territories varies considerably and the government has published minimum criteria on gov.uk that both digital and paper certificates must meet.