Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the review of the Airports National Policy Statement will include steps to increase access to careers (a) as pilots (b) in aviation generally.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) was launched on 22 October. It provides the primary basis for decision making on development consent applications for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. The current ANPS sets out that any promoter should aim to maximise the employment and skills opportunities expansion brings, including apprenticeships, however it is site specific to Heathrow. This will be considered as part of the review.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing standardised eligibility for the Blue Badge scheme across local authorities.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The standardised eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge scheme are published on GOV.UK. Local authorities are responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation.
The Blue Badge scheme is devolved in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; each Devolved Administration is responsible for the scheme within their respective areas.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ship emissions at berth on disadvantaged communities living near ports; and what steps she is taking to help mitigate that impact.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In March, the Government published its Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy that will reduce the impact of shipping emissions at berth for disadvantaged communities living near ports.
This includes expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to domestic maritime from July next year, putting a price on shipping emissions and incentivising the sector to decarbonise. The UK ETS expansion will include emissions from UK domestic voyages and all in-port emissions for vessels over 5000 Gross Tonnage (GT) at berth. The Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy also including a commitment to consider an at berth emissions requirement and we published the Net Zero Ports Call for Evidence to help inform that work. We are considering the responses to the Call for Evidence and what more may be needed to reduce emissions at berth.
Alongside these domestic measures, the Government is also acting internationally to tackle shipping emissions. We are supporting the designation of the North-East Atlantic Emission Control Area at the International Maritime Organization. In combination with the existing North Sea Emission Control Area, this would ensure all UK waters are equally protected by strict limits on sulphur and nitrogen dioxides. Analysis supported by the Government indicates this will cut sulphur oxide emissions by up to 82% and fine particulate matter by around 67%, significantly improving air quality along the UK coastline and reducing health risks for coastal communities.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to concessionary bus travel for disabled people.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area so the administrative arrangements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from those in England.
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. Local authorities in England have the power to use local resources to fund further concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, extending the times travel passes can be used.
The government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish, including enhancing the concessionary travel offering for disabled people in the local area.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vintage cars were registered in Edinburgh in each year since 2010.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not capture information on whether a vehicle is classed as “vintage”. However, vehicles that were first registered or constructed more than 40 years ago may be able to be licensed in the “Historic Vehicle” taxation class and would be exempt from the payment of vehicle excise duty.
The table below shows the number of cars licensed in the Historic Vehicle taxation class where the vehicle is registered to an address in Edinburgh. Information before 2021 is not available.
Year | Total number of cars licensed in the Historic Vehicle tax class at the end of August of each year where the car is registered to an address in Edinburgh |
2021 | 1,924 |
2022 | 2,025 |
2023 | 1,978 |
2024 | 2,187 |
2025 | 2,237 |
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure in (a) new housing developments and (b) public spaces.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In April 2023, the Department for Transport published guidance to support the installation of chargepoints in new housing developments, which includes answers to frequently asked questions. The Department also worked with the Institution for Engineering and Technology to publish a Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Local Authorities in December 2024, which covers key aspects of EV charging infrastructure installation, including process maps, site selection, installation, procurement, and operational management.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing targeted fiscal incentives to support (a) small businesses and (b) community organisations in installing electric vehicle charging points.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government already offers targeted grant funding for local authorities, workplaces, small businesses, charities and public bodies. Grant funding can be used towards the purchase and installation of chargepoint infrastructure. The funding is available throughout the UK.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable access to public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in (a) rural and (b) low-income urban areas.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Transport, including the rollout of public EV chargepoints, is largely devolved to the Scottish Government. However, my officials regularly engage with Transport Scotland on zero emission vehicle initiatives, including charging infrastructure development.
In England, the allocation of the Local EV Infrastructure Fund took account of both levels of rurality and the index of multiple deprivation when calculating funding amounts.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with motorway service station operators on the rollout of rapid electric vehicle charging stations across the strategic road network in England.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
A reliable, accessible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential to support the EV transition.
The market has changed significantly since the Rapid Charging Fund was announced, with now over 6,000 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within one mile of the Strategic Road Network – more than quadrupling in the last three years (July 2022 – July 2025, Zapmap).
We are adapting our approach to meet the needs of industry today. The recent Spending Review announced £400m for charging infrastructure, including to support charging on the Strategic Road Network. We will use lessons from the Rapid Charging Fund pilot and continue working with industry to target financial support where it is needed most.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered introducing a national requirement for the PAS1899 accessibility standard for EV charging stations.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Earlier this year, the Government and Motability Foundation co-sponsored a review of the PAS 1899:2022 standards, and are looking to address challenges identified. The Government will continue to monitor the adoption of the standards and their impact on accessibility to assess the need for further measures.