Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has made an economic assessment of the potential merits of the UK implementing covid-19 travel restrictions similar to those implemented by the New Zealand Government.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
Our approach to tackling coronavirus is driven by the latest scientific and medical advice. This advice has not recommended a long-term border closure similar to other countries such as New Zealand.
The need for border measures is reviewed every 28 days, to ensure that they remain in line with the latest scientific evidence, and that they continue to be effective and necessary. An economic assessment is completed before measures are implemented and impacts captured through the review process.
Asked by: Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party - Aberdeen South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to publish an updated economic impact assessment on the effect of HS2 on Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Passengers from Aberdeen will be able to connect onto HS2 services from Edinburgh and Glasgow, benefitting from improved connectivity and journeys times to the rest of the network. Better connectivity promotes growth through agglomeration which induces investment and supports the levelling up of the UK economy.
The full business case for HS2 ‘High-Speed 2: Phase One ‘moving Britain Ahead’ was revised and published in April 2020 ‘. HS2 Ltd’s ‘Economic case advice for the DfT’ publication in 2017 provides an illustrative estimate that 5% of the overall transport user benefits will be distributed to passengers from Scotland with the full HS2 network in place. As part of the Integrated Rail Plan we will consider the benefits and the best way to serve Scotland.