Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the statement by her predecessor on 30 March 2022 on P&O Ferries, Official Report, column 840, what recent progress her Department has made on the establishment of a minimum wage corridor between the UK and Ireland.
Answered by Lucy Frazer
We are continuing our discussions on bilateral agreements with our near European neighbours, including Ireland, as a matter of priority. These negotiations are focusing on how we can collaborate to improve seafarer welfare and how we can work through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. We are also exploring the creation of minimum wage equivalent corridors to ensure seafarers receive fair pay whilst working in our respective territorial waters.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is taking steps to assess the potential wider impact of (a) HS2 and (b) other infrastructure projects on regional economic activity in North Wales.
Answered by Robert Courts
By improving regional connectivity, the Integrated Rail Plan will unify labour markets so that people can access a much wider range of jobs; bring businesses closer together; and improve access to key international gateways and markets so that they become even more attractive locations for business investment. The Crewe Northern Connection would improve connections from North Wales to the HS2 network, potentially bringing many passengers within 2 hours 15 minutes of London. Our plans will enhance connectivity to much of the West Midlands, Cheshire and North Wales not directly served by HS2.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's decision not to proceed with the HS2 rail extension to Leeds on commuters from North Wales.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Eastern Leg of HS2 as previously planned would have gone from the West Midlands to Leeds via the East Midlands. Given the geography of the line, the impact of changes to the route upon commuters in North Wales will be minimal as the new proposed route will go from the West to East Midlands with upgrades to the existing rail network to allow high speed services to reach Nottingham and Sheffield (via Derby and Chesterfield) and a further study of how best HS2 services could reach Leeds.
We will build the Western Leg of HS2 as previously planned, which will allow the Crewe Hub to be realised,helping enhance connectivity to much of the West Midlands, Cheshire and North Wales not directly served by HS2.
Asked by: Virginia Crosbie (Conservative - Ynys Môn)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to work with the Directorate-General for Traffic in Spain to ensure that UK citizens who are resident in Spain can continue to drive there.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The UK and Spanish Governments are working to reach an agreement on driving licence exchange as a priority. The Secretary of State for Transport discussed the issue with Spanish ministers on 29 April 2022 and talks have rapidly accelerated since.