Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of the absence of a long-term funding deal with TfL on the provision of TfL services to locations outside of Greater London.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government recently agreed a fourth extraordinary funding and financing package for Transport for London (TfL) worth around £200m. This takes total funding provided to TfL since the start of the pandemic to close to £5bn and will ensure the continued running of TfL’s network as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government’s extraordinary funding settlements recognise the reliance of London’s transport network on fare revenue, and Government’s commitment now and in the future to mitigating loss of fare revenue because of the pandemic.
The Mayor has agreed to carry out a review of demand and service levels in April 2022 to inform future service level requirements and potential changes. Transport in London is devolved, and therefore the Mayor must make decisions on service levels that supports the goal of being financially sustainable by April 2023.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to expedite driving licences for people with epilepsy who are unable to take out car insurance as a result of delays in receiving their physical licence, despite being able to drive under section 88 provisions.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working hard to process paper applications as quickly as possible for all drivers, including those with health conditions. To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham.
The DVLA has recently introduced a simplified licence renewal process for drivers with epilepsy. This process has significantly reduced the need for the DVLA to seek further information from medical professionals and enabled more licensing decisions to be made based on the information provided by the driver.
The majority of those renewing their licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet the criteria outlined here. Insurance cover in these circumstances is a matter for the insurance company concerned.
The DVLA is currently reviewing the information provided on GOV.UK to make clear that drivers have the option to surrender their driving licence before reporting a medical condition using the online fitness to drive service.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the DVLA on improvements to their website to ensure that people with epilepsy are fully informed of their right to surrender their licence rather than having it revoked.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is working hard to process paper applications as quickly as possible for all drivers, including those with health conditions. To help reduce waiting times for paper applications, the DVLA has recruited more staff, increased overtime working and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham.
The DVLA has recently introduced a simplified licence renewal process for drivers with epilepsy. This process has significantly reduced the need for the DVLA to seek further information from medical professionals and enabled more licensing decisions to be made based on the information provided by the driver.
The majority of those renewing their licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet the criteria outlined here. Insurance cover in these circumstances is a matter for the insurance company concerned.
The DVLA is currently reviewing the information provided on GOV.UK to make clear that drivers have the option to surrender their driving licence before reporting a medical condition using the online fitness to drive service.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the steps taken by HS2 Ltd to (a) inform, (b) involve and (c) respond to affected communities since the HS2 Community Engagement Strategy, Respecting People, Respecting Places, was updated in October 2021.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Last year as the HS2 Minister, I asked HS2 Ltd to revisit its approach to community engagement. The refreshed strategy ‘Respecting People, Respecting Places’ was launched in October 2021 and sets out HS2 Ltd’s renewed commitments in this area. My Department continues to monitor the impact of HS2 construction on communities and residents, and is assessing the effectiveness of HS2 Ltd measures to inform, involve and respond to ensure that it always deals with communities with responsiveness, sensitivity, and objectivity.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to support training opportunities for young people who wish to pursue careers as electric vehicle mechanics.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Our strategy for net zero is to lead the world in ending our contribution to climate change, while turning this mission into the greatest opportunity for jobs and prosperity for our country since the industrial revolution.
The Government is helping to develop the green skills needed for this net zero economy through initiatives such as the Green apprenticeships, Green Skills Bootcamps, Electrification skills boost, and Free Courses for Jobs.
We are also working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). The Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has endorsed the IMI’s TechSafe scheme to help ensure the UK’s workforce of mechanics are well trained and have the skills they need to repair electric vehicles safely.
OZEV has also endorsed the National Franchise Dealers Association’s Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) Scheme which is a set of standards for automotive retail designed to recognise business excellence in the EV sector, in retail and after-sales care. The EVA mark is then awarded to individual locations that are rigorously and independently audited to ensure this standard is maintained.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the potential impact on cost, schedule and benefits of decisions made during parliamentary scrutiny of the HS2 Phase 2 hybrid bills is considered when making future decisions on the project as a whole, as recommended in the National Audit Office report, High Speed Two: A Progress Report.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Alongside introduction of the High Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) hybrid Bill, the Government published an update to the strategic outline business case for this phase. This also reflects the case for the HS2 scheme taking into account Phases One and 2a. Refined versions of the business case, published as the scheme develops, will reflect impacts of any changes made during parliamentary passage. Lessons learnt from changes made during parliamentary scrutiny on the previous HS2 Bills and as HS2 is being constructed, are being taken into account as this Bill progresses through Parliament.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure HS2 stations are closely integrated within existing transport infrastructure as recommended in the Oakervee Review of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Oakervee Review highlighted the importance of integrating HS2 stations with the existing transport network and the local area. Integrating HS2 stations with local and regional transport modes, including active travel options, is a key Sponsor’s Requirement (as set out in Sponsor’s Requirement no.13, in Annex 2 of the HS2 Development Agreement). By working with local and regional authorities and stakeholders HS2 Ltd must deliver integrated travel connections that promote sustainable travel. Work continues to ensure that HS2 stations across all phases are effectively integrated, through engagement with key partners such as Transport for London, Transport for the West Midlands, Transport for Greater Manchester, Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, and relevant local planning and highways authorities.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that homeowners are adequately compensated in cases where the construction of HS2 public works have diminished the value of their property.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
A comprehensive range of compensation schemes is in place across the whole route, following consultation. These in most cases go beyond what the law requires; they are generous and comprehensive and available until one year after the start of operations on the relevant section of the HS2 route. Property compensation schemes are subject to regular review, most recently in 2020, when 36 proposals for improvement were put forward, over half of which have now been implemented, and with more to come.