Publicly Owned Rail Operators
(West Lancashire) (Lab)
Whether he plans to allow publicly owned rail operators to bid
for future rail contracts under the proposed concession model.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
We will outline our plans for the railway in a White Paper when
the course of the pandemic becomes clearer.
[V]
Even prior to this pandemic, disabled people reported that work
opportunities were out of reach due to the lack of accessibility
on transport. What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that
disabled people are not prevented from accessing and staying in
employment because of the really pressing accessibility issues on
our rail network?
The hon. Lady asks a very sensible question on a very important
day, the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Persons
with Disabilities. There is some good news, because 75% of all
journeys—on what is a Victorian network that we are trying to
upgrade—are now through step-free stations, compared with 50%
only a few years ago.
(Bexhill and Battle) (Con)
At the end of September, the Government put in place the second
set of emergency contracts with the train operators to continue
with train operations. It has now been two months and the
Transport Committee has been trying desperately to get hold of
copies of those contracts, but we still have not. May I urge the
Minister to please ask his officials to get a shifty on? Will he
also tell us when he will be able to give us an update from the
Dispatch Box as to how the termination payment process is going,
so that train operators that would have had to pay under the
franchise system will have to pay back to the taxpayer?
I am not sure that my officials would ever do anything shifty
whatever. I completely understand and appreciate that my hon.
Friend’s Committee wishes to see the redacted emergency recovery
measures agreements as soon as practicable, but in the second
part of his question he outlined the reason why the redaction of
the documents is so important: there are extremely sensitive
commercial negotiations ongoing at this point. He has my
commitment that as soon as practicable, as we did with the
emergency measures agreements before them, we will publish these
documents and give them to his Committee.
Transport Decarbonisation
(Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (SNP)
What recent assessment his Department has made of the
implications for his policies of (a) opportunities and (b)
requirements for transport decarbonisation to achieve the
Government’s net zero carbon emissions target.
(East
Lothian) (SNP)
What recent assessment his Department has made of the
implications for his policies of (a) opportunities and (b)
requirements for transport decarbonisation to achieve the
Government’s net zero carbon emissions target.
The Secretary of State for Transport ()
Our forthcoming transport decarbonisation plan will set out a
credible pathway to achieving net zero emissions across transport
by 2050.
[V]
One of the most effective and impactful ways of helping the UK to
achieve its decarbonisation goal of net zero is the
electrification of transport. Against a backdrop of austerity and
a global pandemic, the Scottish Government have a proud record on
delivering rail electrification across Scotland. The majority of
such works in Scotland’s central belt are now complete, with work
beginning on extending this programme both north and south. Does
the Minister agree that the Department for Transport should be
following the Scottish Government’s lead in this area if the UK’s
long-term goal of net zero is to be realised?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. It is probably worth the
House reflecting that in the 13 years of the previous Labour
Government, 63 miles of electrification took place, compared with
1,110 miles during our tenure.
[V]
The energy from major offshore wind farms will flow ashore into
my constituency, but few jobs will currently be created. Hydrogen
schemes offer opportunities not just for transport, but for
tackling global warming and creating employment in East Lothian.
What resources will the Minister commit to ensuring that hydrogen
schemes are part of Britain going forward, and that East Lothian
gets its fair share of onshore employment?
The Government are committed to hydrogen as a technology. I
recently announced the Tees valley as a hydrogen hub. We have
invested £121 million into hydrogen innovation, including the
hydrogen buses that are currently running in Glasgow.
(Oldham West and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)
The pandemic has understandably dominated the headlines, but we
cannot forget that we are still in a climate emergency and that
green, efficient transport must be the future. Transport is now
the largest contributing sector to UK emissions, and air
pollution contributes to upwards of 36,000 deaths a year. How we
move goods in and around the country—from international incoming
freight moving around our national network, to local
deliveries—is important, particularly as last mile deliveries
have boomed during the pandemic. But even before the pandemic
hit, the number of diesel vans had doubled over two decades. What
is the Government’s plan, above what has already been announced,
to get air pollution down and to address the growing impact of
last mile deliveries?
The hon. Gentleman makes an excellent point, which is that 28% of
all CO2 now comes from transport, and it is critical that we get
it down. I thought he was going to go on to mention that since we
last stood at these Dispatch Boxes, we have said that we are
going to have a 2030 target for the end of sale of petrol and
diesel cars, which will obviously help tremendously. That also
includes diesel vans, which will be a very big contributor to
assist in this, alongside the £2.8 billion we are putting in to
help that switch take place.
With respect, that is just not ambitious enough. There are
organisations that have really boomed in the pandemic. Online
retailers—the big giants—are part of that, and they should be
required to do far more to make sure that they bring down air
pollution.
In a written parliamentary question to me, the Government
admitted that the comprehensive spending review cut Network
Rail’s enhancement budget by £1 billion—10%. At the same time,
the order books for new greener aircraft have stalled. This all
adds up to a very dismal approach as we get towards COP26 in
Glasgow next year. Before that embarrassment comes, will the
Secretary of State come forward with a comprehensive plan to
decarbonise freight, which starts with reversing the cuts to
Network Rail?
Right at the beginning of the pandemic—I can understand if the
hon. Gentleman missed it—we published the document “Decarbonising
Transport: Setting the Challenge”, which will lead into a
transport decarbonisation plan that we will publish by the
spring. In that, we will describe the many measures that we are
taking to make the UK a global leader in cutting carbonisation
and decarbonising the economy, not just through the 2030 pledge
but through, for example, introducing 4,000 zero-emission buses,
and much else besides.
(Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)
The Transport Secretary was right to reference COP26.
Last year, sales of ultra-low emission vehicles grew by 46% in
Scotland—40% faster than in England—in large part due to the
enhanced home charging point grant and the interest-free loans,
both provided by the Scottish Government and unavailable in
England. Does the Secretary of State agree that he too should
adopt the success of Scotland’s electric vehicle strategy and
learn the lessons that are needed to ensure that England is not
being left behind?
The hon. Gentleman and I share a very keen interest in these
matters. I remember that when I got my electric car, 1% of cars
sold were electric. The figure now across the UK is 6.5%. There
have been tremendous advances in the number of electric charging
points available. The £2.8 billion that we pledged at the
spending review will help that to happen, with more money going
into charge points and into the infrastructure investment as
well. I am pleased that Barnett consequentials are being sensibly
spent to increase charging in Scotland.
I am grateful for that response. I should say, for the record,
that my household has come down from a two-car household to one
car, and we are hoping to switch to an electric car in the new
year as well. [Interruption.] It is a bit too far out for an
e-bike.
The Prime Minister announced in February that £5 billion was
being made available for 4,000 zero-emission buses, which the
Secretary of State mentioned, but to date we have not seen much
evidence of that money being spent, and jobs continue to
haemorrhage in the bus production sector. So how many of the
promised 4,000 zero-emission buses have actually been delivered
thus far?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to point that out, but he
will recall that the pandemic in between has created problems not
just for the bus sector but for the entire economy, which has, by
necessity, meant that a huge amount of money—hundreds of millions
of pounds—has gone into supporting buses operating at all. The
pledge for 4,000 buses remains, and £120 million was announced at
the spending review to get on with the first several hundred of
them.
Maritime Industry: Decarbonisation
(Waveney) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to help the maritime industry
to decarbonise.
(Eastbourne) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to help the maritime industry
to decarbonise.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Government have recently committed £20 million to support
clean maritime technology, and further plans will be set out in
the forthcoming transport decarbonisation plan.
The inclusion of clean maritime in the 10-point plan and the
announcement of the £20 million demonstration project are
extremely welcome. Can the Minister confirm that he is working
with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to
produce a comprehensive strategy for investment in new green port
infrastructure so that ports such as Lowestoft can make the most
of the exciting opportunities emerging in renewable energy and
sustainable fishing?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right: there can be no clean
maritime without clean ports. He is absolutely right to raise the
opportunities that exist for our ports, and I thank him for his
tireless, passionate advocacy for Lowestoft. I can confirm that
my Department, DEFRA and BEIS meet regularly to ensure that our
work is aligned and, in particular, that our work on renewable
energy and maritime decarbonisation is complementary in approach,
because providing the former is a big part of providing the
latter.
My beautiful coastal constituency of Eastbourne and Willingdon is
susceptible to particulate matter emanating from the very busy
channel shipping lanes. The maritime strategy and the Prime
Minister’s 10-point plan are hugely important domestic policies,
but this problem obviously demands an international response and
international change. Will my hon. Friend assure the House that
the Government are equally committed to working at the
international level to see the improvements we need in air
quality in my home town?
I am glad to confirm that the Government are committed to
international efforts to reduce pollution from ships, including
through the London-based International Maritime Organisation. I
am pleased to be able to inform my hon. Friend that from 1
January 2021, the channel and North sea, including the East
Sussex coast, will be designated a nitrogen oxide emissions
control area under international law. I thank her for her
continued outstanding advocacy for clean air in her constituency
and across the UK.
Rail Connections: North of England
(Delyn) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to improve rail connections
in the north of England.
(Hyndburn) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to improve rail connections
in the north of England.
(Warrington South) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to improve rail connections
in the north of England.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
Last week was the dawn of a new era for transport in the north of
England. Loved by some, but hated by most, it was the end of the
line for the much-hated Pacer trains—the final call as this rusty
and knackered rolling stock is consigned to history, allowing
passengers to enjoy a brand-new fleet of trains, creating a more
reliable network across the north.
I thank the Minister for his answer. The north-west of England is
massively important to north-east Wales in terms of cross-border
trade and employment. I am as keen as anyone to see improvements
to rail infrastructure in the north. Does my hon. Friend agree
that it is vital we keep up the strong links through improvements
at the main connecting stations of Chester and Crewe and,
crucially, electrification of the north Wales coast line?
My hon. Friend makes a very important point. Earlier this year,
we approved funding for the progression of a line speed
enhancement scheme for the north Wales coast line. In addition to
ongoing work to develop the Crewe hub, my officials are working
closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council on developing the
business case for improvements at Chester station.
Since being elected, I have been working with Ministers on the
reopening of the Skipton to Colne railway line and the potential
for a freight terminal in Huncoat. It is an essential line, well
worth the investment, that will connect east Lancashire to
Yorkshire. Will my hon. Friend meet me to discuss the progression
of the railway line and freight terminal, and will he look again
at supporting an engineering study for the project?
Mr Speaker
Let us have the hon. Member for Colne.
Indeed. I thank my hon. Friend for her continued and tireless
campaigning on this matter. Given that my constituency of Pendle
will, as you have identified, Mr Speaker, be one of those that
most benefit from the reopening of the Colne-Skipton line, I will
recuse myself from commenting directly on the scheme, but I know
she has met my hon. Friend the rail Minister, who continues to
consider the proposals carefully.
Transport for the North has recently made recommendations to the
Government to include Warrington on a new high-speed rail line
between Manchester and Liverpool. Will my hon. Friend confirm
that any route decisions will include an interchange at
Warrington Bank Quay station, creating a hub site between
Northern Powerhouse Rail and the west coast main line?
We are currently considering the formal advice from Transport for
the North on its preferred way to proceed with Northern
Powerhouse Rail following the board meeting last week, and we
will respond shortly. We are also awaiting advice from the
National Infrastructure Commission on rail investment across the
north of England.
(Slough) (Lab)
The east coast main line has upgrades scheduled over Christmas to
help improve connectivity to the north, but many of those
long-planned works now clash with the Government’s new Christmas
guidance, which will clearly lead to many more people wanting to
travel by train. The Government do not seem to have a plan, so
perhaps I can help the Minister. Let us scrap peak rail fares,
increase testing for our transport staff and delay non-essential
works by a few days to help people to travel home. Can the
Minister reassure the House that there will be no Christmas chaos
on our railways?
This is something we are acutely aware of. We have already taken
swift and decisive action to ensure that any disruption is kept
to a minimum, and I and my fellow Ministers continue to work to
ensure as smooth as possible a rail system during the festive
period.
Level Crossings: Accidents
(Ogmore)
(Lab)
What steps his Department is taking to close level crossings that
have a high risk of accidents.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
Network Rail is responsible for the operational safety of level
crossings on the network and for deciding whether they need to be
closed.
I think the Minister knows what I am going to ask him. I thank
him for his engagement in trying to find a holistic solution to
the Pencoed level crossing in my constituency. Could he update me
on what work he has been doing with his officials to ensure a
long-term multi-funded solution, including with Bridgend County
Borough Council and the Welsh Government?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his engagement in such a positive
way on an issue that I know is very important to him and his
constituents. Since our meeting on 8 October, officials from my
Department have readily engaged with the Pencoed steering group
that he chairs. I am encouraged to hear that they have agreed how
Network Rail would be involved in the development of a business
case for closure of the crossing, including potential benefits
and the costs that would apply to the relevant parties. The work
is ongoing, and I will happily continue to engage with the hon.
Gentleman to drive this forward.
Walking and Cycling
(Warwick and Leamington) (Lab)
What steps his Department is taking to support walking and
cycling schemes.
(Clwyd South) (Con)
What support his Department is providing to local authorities to
increase levels of cycling and walking.
(Denton
and Reddish) (Lab)
What steps his Department is taking to support walking and
cycling schemes.
(Mid Derbyshire) (Con)
What support his Department is providing to local authorities to
increase levels of cycling and walking.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
The Government are investing £2 billion in active travel over the
next five years, which is the biggest ever boost for cycling and
walking.
In the Government’s document “Gear change: a bold vision for
cycling and walking”, they promised a trial scheme for boosting
the use of electric bikes, yet they have only found £1 million
for that so far. When will more funds be forthcoming, and may I
urge the Minister to consider Warwick and Leamington as the
perfect place to undertake trials?
Warwick and Leamington is a truly beautiful constituency, and I
agree that it is almost perfect for an e-bike trial. We have £257
million of funding in 2021-22, which will enable key actions from
the long-term plan, and we can look forward to more announcements
on this shortly.
Will the Minister join me in praising Denbighshire and Wrexham
councils and the Canal and River Trust for their work in
encouraging walking and cycling by the Llangollen canal and for
promoting those activities in the newly announced master plan for
the Trevor basin and surrounding area, in our world heritage site
in Clwyd South?
Cycling and walking policy is a devolved matter for the Welsh
Government, but I am happy to congratulate those councils and the
Canal and River Trust on their work in and around this globally
significant site and the canal world heritage site. We will
follow in the steps of Thomas Telford, who designed the beautiful
aqueduct there, to deliver high-quality cycling and walking
infrastructure for future generations with the £2 billion that I
just mentioned.
[V]
Active travel funding is one side of the equation, and a lot is
starting to be achieved from that, but authorities in Greater
Manchester also need to obtain powers to ensure that this new
infrastructure and the roads generally can function well. One
example is around moving traffic offences, giving Greater
Manchester London-style enforcement powers to keep roads moving
efficiently for all users. When will the Government commence the
remaining elements of part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004,
as set out in the Department’s “Gear change” publication in July?
I know that the hon. Gentleman is passionate about all things
active travel. He will doubtless be pleased that the Greater
Manchester Combined Authority has been allocated over £18 million
in the two tranches of the active travel fund this year, and 143
“Fix Your Bike” vouchers have been given to his constituents, but
the answer to his question is: shortly.
Mrs Latham [V]
In my constituency, the Derwent Valley Trust is trying to create
a traffic-free cycleway along the beautiful Derwent valley,
increasing tourism and enabling people to cycle to work safely.
Will the Minister join me in commending their efforts and
consider visiting the site with me to see the work that has been
completed so far and how he can help to fund its continuation?
I commend the efforts of the Derwent Valley Trust and encourage
it to work in partnership with Derbyshire County Council through
the local cycling and walking infrastructure plan. As my hon.
Friend knows well, Derbyshire has received more than £1.6 million
in tranche two of the active travel fund, and decisions for the
allocation of that are made locally, but I would be more than
happy to meet her. I know that neck of the woods very well, and I
know that her husband is a keen MAMIL—middle-aged man in
Lycra—who uses the cycleways around there. I suppose I could don
a bit of Lycra and join him and her on a ride.
(Bristol East) (Lab)
I did not know MAMILs were a thing, but I have now been
enlightened by my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale
East ().
As part of support for active travel, we ought to be supporting
our UK bicycle manufacturers and retailers, but they have been
hit by tariffs imposed as a result of the Boeing-Airbus dispute.
I think the Minister will agree it is somewhat ironic that an
aviation dispute leads to bicycle manufacturers being penalised.
They are also facing the threat of anti-dumping duties being
lifted and a flood of cheap Chinese imports. I know the Minister
has written to his counterpart in the Department for
International Trade about this. Was he as unhappy as I was with
the reply, and can he release the figures showing that
anti-dumping duties should not be lifted because they do
represent more than 1% of the UK market?
As the hon. Lady knows, I am very concerned about this particular
matter and have been engaged with it for quite some time.
Fortunately, we are in a position in the United Kingdom—with the
funding that the Government are putting in and, indeed, the
actions that people themselves took during the first and second
lockdowns—where the cycle market has never been as buoyant as it
is. However, we can never be complacent, and I follow this very
carefully indeed.
Electric Vehicles
(Kensington)
(Con)
What steps his Department is taking to (a) support people to
switch to and (b) install the necessary infrastructure for
electric vehicles by 2030.
(Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to (a) support people to
switch to and (b) install the necessary infrastructure for
electric vehicles by 2030.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
We are investing over £2.8 billion to help people buy zero
emission vehicles and accelerate the roll-out of charging
infrastructure.
My constituents in Kensington are largely very supportive of
electric cars, but they are concerned about the lack of charging
infrastructure. Would my hon. Friend consider mandating all new
builds to have charging points, and encouraging all petrol
stations and car parks to have them too?
I am delighted to hear the support of my hon. Friend’s
constituents in Kensington, which is shared of course by people
across the UK. As ever, my hon. Friend is actually one step ahead
of the Government. We are launching a consultation to improve
drivers’ experience of using public charge points, and we will
soon respond to the consultation on requiring new homes and
non-residential properties to be fitted with charging
infrastructure.
I am delighted to hear that Stoke-on-Trent’s £29 million
transforming cities fund proposal has now been approved, and I
want to thank the Minister and the Secretary of State for all the
hard work they have done to help me, other local MPs and the city
council to get this across the line. As I have said on many
occasions, this will be a real game changer for public transport
in our city. As we look to revolutionise the way we move around
our city, does the Minister agree that it is right to look for
investment from the active travel fund to complement bus and
train travel with an e-bike hire system and to build a
sustainable local network for charging electric vehicles?
I share my hon. Friend’s enthusiasm for e-bikes. I got one in the
lockdown, and it is absolutely brilliant for the hills of
Redditch. She will be pleased to hear that the Prime Minister’s
cycling and walking plan includes a commitment to create a
national e-cycle support programme. As part of this, we have
launched a £1 million e-bike extension fund to enable the
increased use of e-bikes, with a particular focus on those
hard-to-reach groups, so I would encourage Stoke-on-Trent to
consider making an application. As well as this, we are investing
£1.3 billion across the country to accelerate the roll-out of
charging infrastructure for her constituents.
Hauliers: End of Transition Period
(Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con)
What support his Department is providing to hauliers in
preparation for the end of the transition period.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Department is running a haulier readiness communications
campaign and outreach programme, launching 45 information and
advice sites, and producing a detailed haulier handbook, which
has been translated into 13 languages.
[V]
The application for the free port of Heysham seems to be shrouded
in mystery. Could the Department for Transport give me some
indication on its progress at this moment in time?
I thank my hon. Friend for his consistent advocacy for this free
port programme, which will be of great benefit, I have no doubt,
to his constituents. Ports and local authorities are welcome to
submit their bids for free ports, including for Heysham, until 5
February 2021, and specific locations will then be chosen
according to a process, as set out in the bidding proposals, but
I am sure that Ministers will be delighted to meet him to discuss
this further.
Aviation Sector Employment: Covid-19
(Washington and Sunderland West) (Lab)
What steps he has taken to support the aviation sector to
maintain employment levels during the covid-19 pandemic.
(South Shields) (Lab)
What steps he has taken to support the aviation sector to
maintain employment levels during the covid-19 pandemic.
(Vauxhall)
(Lab/Co-op)
What steps he has taken to support the aviation sector to
maintain employment levels during the covid-19 pandemic.
(Edinburgh
West) (LD)
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on employment
protections for people working in the aviation industry during
the covid-19 outbreak.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Government’s comprehensive support package includes the
coronavirus job retention scheme, which will now run until the
end of March 2021.
Mrs Hodgson [V]
Many hundreds of my constituents are reliant on jobs related to
the aviation sector, so the Government’s financial support for
businesses in this industry has been welcome. However, there are
valid concerns surrounding the conditionality of that support,
particularly among workers at Rolls-Royce, with their jobs at
risk of being offshored. Will the Minister work to ensure that
any financial support is translated into the protection of jobs
here in the UK?
The Government, of course, are acutely aware of the importance of
the highly skilled, dedicated employees in aerospace in the hon.
Lady’s constituency and across the UK. We are very much working
to ensure that as many jobs as possible can be protected and,
particularly through the release of the global travel taskforce,
we are looking to see that demand increases and we get people
flying as soon as is safely possible. It is in that way that we
will most protect the industry, which means so much to all of us.
Mrs Lewell-Buck
This year, I have watched close friends and constituents lose
their jobs as the aviation industry and its supply chain have
collapsed, yet it took the Government until October to launch a
taskforce. There is still no sector-specific support deal, and
the Secretary of State sat silent while BA engaged in fire and
rehire tactics, and is silent now as Heathrow is doing exactly
the same. When are the Government going to start taking a real
stand to save people’s jobs?
In announcing the global travel taskforce and working at pace to
deliver this complicated bit of policy, going live on 15
December, the Government have acted extremely fast in ensuring
that we introduce a world-leading test and release system, which
is what will support our aviation industry going forward.
[V]
British Airways is a flagship airline; it is recognised across
the world for its quality mark, and that is largely down to the
professionalism of its staff, many of whom live in my Vauxhall
constituency. Yet its actions during this pandemic, including
firing and rehiring so many staff on reduced wages and incredibly
bad terms, have been utterly disgraceful. Why have the Government
not stepped in, done a sectoral deal and protected these jobs?
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that there are no
more job losses in the aviation sector?
I pay tribute to the dedicated employees in the hon. Lady’s
constituency who work in the airline industry and the airports
industry. Any redundancy that happens is a commercial decision,
but none the less one that we regret. I would encourage all
employers to engage with their employees sensitively and to sit
down and talk to the unions in order to come to compromises
wherever possible. The Government’s action has involved a great
deal of cross-economy support, and the aviation sector itself
will have received between £2.5 billion and £3 billion of support
from the coronavirus job retention scheme and the covid corporate
financing facility by the end of March 2021.
[V]
The aviation sector, particularly the airline industry, is a
major employer in my constituency, and there has been concern
over employment practices. I recently supported the private
Member’s Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Paisley and
Renfrewshire North (), but in a Westminster Hall debate the Minister said
that the absence of strict regulations about fire and rehire
provided necessary flexibility. In those circumstances, what are
the Government proposing to bring forward to protect workers in
the aviation industries from the possibility of fire and rehire?
As I say, these are matters that are profoundly regretted by the
Government, but they remain commercial matters. We engage closely
with all sector representatives, including the unions, to find a
way forward if at all possible.
(Wythenshawe
and Sale East) (Lab)
It is 50 years since my predecessor, Alf Morris, introduced the
Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. It is why I came
into politics. The Minister of State, Department for Transport,
the hon. Member for Daventry (),
mentioned it, as it is World Disability Day today.
Minister, the global travel taskforce has hardly met at all and
nobody in the aviation industry has recommended the
test-to-release scheme, which he announced this week. The
industry is shedding jobs at a rate of knots. The furlough
announcement was too late for too many in the aviation
industry—the jobs were already gone. We have to stop lurching
from one announcement to the next. Will the Minister commit to
setting a critical path, so we can restore confidence in our
world-class aviation industry?
I am slightly confused about the hon. Gentleman’s reference,
because the global travel taskforce most certainly has met. I
think there is an element of confusion there. There has been
extensive engagement in workshops with the industry. That has led
to the release of a substantial, detailed report with 14
recommendations, of which the test-to-release scheme is only one.
That work continues, as he rightly urges. I agree with him that
it absolutely should continue to bring on many of the other
schemes we have in the GTT. That work very much continues.
Air Passengers: Covid-19 Testing
(Crawley) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to introduce covid-19 testing
for air passengers.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Government will be rolling out test to release for
international travel from 15 December for arrivals into England.
[V]
I very much welcome the Secretary of State introducing covid-19
air passenger testing from 15 December. What discussions has he
had with our right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary about
updating foreign travel advice?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this very important issue. It
is important to distinguish between the testing regime which
seeks to address incoming passengers who may be carrying the
virus, and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice
which deals with advising British nationals on the risks in other
countries. From 5 November, FCDO stopped advising against all
travel worldwide and reverted to country-based advice, which
remains under constant review and considers both epidemiological
and other risks in each destination. Where the FCDO no longer
assesses the risks to British nationals to be unacceptably high,
travel advice is updated accordingly.
Railway Stations: Access for Disabled People
(Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to improve access at railway
stations for disabled people.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
The Government recently made £350 million available to make
accessibility improvements at a further 209 stations through the
Access for All programme. We also require the industry to comply
with current accessibility standards whenever they install,
replace or renew station infrastructure.
According to the London Assembly transport committee, only one
third of stations in London provide step-free access. What
pressure can my hon. Friend bring to bear on the Mayor of London
to ensure that this is improved and that stations like West
Ruislip in my constituency, which the Minister of State,
Department for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle
(), had the opportunity to visit recently, are
brought up to standard?
As my hon. Friend rightly highlights, transport policy in London
is devolved to the Mayor of London and delivered by Transport for
London. It is therefore a matter for the Mayor to determine his
accessibility policy. However, Ministers and officials in the
Department for Transport hold regular discussions with the Mayor
on a range of transport issues, including this issue, and I will
make sure it is highlighted at the next one.
Maritime Freight Capacity: Covid-19
(Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of UK maritime
freight capacity during the covid-19 outbreak.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
First, may I put on record my thanks to all transport workers?
They have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic. The UK
maritime sector has worked tirelessly to keep freight moving and
provide sufficient capacity throughout.
[V]
The loss of a critical element of UK freight capacity in
P&O’s Hull to Zeebrugge route will not only be a devastating
blow to jobs and trade in my constituency, but as it is one of
the most direct routes between Pfizer’s Belgian factory and
hard-hit areas in the north of England, that could have a severe
impact on the rapid roll-out of the covid vaccine, which I am
delighted to see has been approved for use this week. I wrote to
the Secretary of State recently on this issue. What action are
Ministers taking to ensure that P&O honours its commitments
and that this vital route is maintained?
The hon. Gentleman is a powerful advocate for jobs and his local
economy, and rightly so. My hon. Friend the Member for Witney
(), the maritime Minister, has recently written to
P&O on this matter, reminding it of its responsibilities, but
decisions on the long-term viability of any route are a
commercial decision. The vaccine strategy is led by the
Department of Health and Social Care, but I can assure the hon.
Gentleman that alternative routes are available for the
relatively limited volumes of traffic that will be required to
bring in this much needed and life-saving vaccine.
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers: Covid-19
(Cambridge) (Lab)
What assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19
outbreak on taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Government continue to engage with the sector to understand
the effects of the covid-19 outbreak. Several support measures
are available to support them through this challenging time, such
as the self-employment income support scheme.
With over 350,000 licensed taxi and private hire drivers, this is
the biggest employment group in the transport sector. As we
speak, in London, electric cabs, which we all welcome, are being
handed back because of inflexible finance deals. In every
constituency, there will be hundreds of drivers laying up their
vehicles. There are private tragedies going on here. What impact
assessment have the Government actually done and when are they
going to act?
I acknowledge that this is an exceptionally challenging time for
the industry, and the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to
continue to raise that point. We continue to engage with the
sector to understand how there may be some assistance. I
particularly draw his attention to the fact that there is an
online support finder tool that will assist those in the
difficulty that he refers to.
Hydrogen Fuel in Transport
(North Thanet) (Con)
What steps his Department is taking to promote the use of
hydrogen fuel in transport.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
The Prime Minister’s 10-point plan included ambitious new
policies and investment in hydrogen, including in transport
projects. This includes £20 million for freight trials to pioneer
hydrogen and other zero-emission lorries, and £3 million for the
groundbreaking and unique Tees Valley hydrogen transport hub.
[V]
The nation’s bus fleet, coaches and double-decker buses are
mostly operating on Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards before converting
to Euro 6, but Euro 6 is still diesel. Will my hon. Friend look
at ways, perhaps working with the Treasury, to achieve an economy
of scale that allows us to cut out Euro 6 and move directly from
diesel buses to hydrogen-powered buses?
When we leave the transition period, EU vehicle emissions
regulators will become part of our retained law in the UK and
that does mean that only new vehicles meeting the latest
standards can be placed on the market for cars, vans, buses and
trucks. This is the Euro 6 standard, but I can reassure my right
hon. Friend that this Government are committed to hydrogen
production. The Prime Minister set out that we are going to be
producing 5 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030, creating
8,000 jobs, and I very much hope some of them will be in Thanet.
Rail Workers’ Pay
(Wansbeck) (Lab)
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of pay for
rail workers.
The Minister of State, Department for Transport ()
Office for National Statistics data shows that rail workers’
earnings have risen at rates above RPI since 2011.
[V]
It was the Transport Secretary himself who recently hailed the
rail workers as “true heroes”—key workers who have done a
phenomenal job during this pandemic. I think we all agree on
that, but the private train companies that employ our rail
workers are set to be paid a fee from the Government—taxpayers’
money—which will provide profit and shareholder dividends. If
these taxpayer handouts are indeed acceptable, do the Minister
and the Secretary of State not simply agree that these rail
workers—true heroes, key workers—should be receiving a decent pay
rise? And Minister, who makes these decisions? Who says whether
they can have a pay rise or not? Is it the Government or the
companies themselves?
I agree with what the Secretary of State said about rail workers,
who, up and down the country, will no doubt have noticed how much
support the Government have given the industry since the pandemic
struck and how little revenue the passenger sector is generating.
They would have noticed the public sector pay policy announced by
the Chancellor in the spending review. The figures are simple.
The average national earnings growth rate since 2011 for the
average UK worker is 2.2%; for train and tram drivers, it is
3.4%; for rail transport operatives, 4.4%; and for rail and
rolling stock builders and repairers, 4.6%. We truly value our
rail workers.
Topical Questions
(Blackpool South) (Con)
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
The Secretary of State for Transport ()
With permission, I will set out briefly to the House the plans
for Christmas travel. A lot of families will be getting together
for the first time, with a maximum of three households mixing.
Christmas journeys are likely to be more difficult than usual
this year as a result, and passengers will want to plan their
journeys carefully.
To help passengers prepare for travel, we are putting in place a
number of different plans, including clearing 778 miles-worth of
roadworks; ensuring that 95% of the rail network will be
unaffected by engineering works, either by postponing or altering
them; lengthening trains and adding additional rail services;
trebling the number of coach services available; ensuring that
lateral flow testing is available at six different sites for
transport workers to ensure that they are available and healthy
to work; and many rail companies, including Avanti, LNER,
CrossCountry, EMR and others, relaxing their peak fares. I have
also appointed Sir Peter Hendy to look after this period of time,
to ensure that people can travel as smoothly as possible while it
will be exceptionally busy.
The funding announced in the spending review for a feasibility
study on improving the South Fylde line was warmly welcomed by
commuters in Blackpool. Creating a passing loop on the line will
double the number of trains per hour into my constituency,
helping to boost tourism and to deliver jobs and growth.
Following the outcome of the next stage of the process, will my
right hon. Friend meet me to discuss taking the project forward
to completion?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his relentless campaigning
for things like the South Fylde loop. I, or my hon. Friend the
Rail Minister, will be delighted to meet him to assist. We are
putting in a lot of investment, including £10 million to tackle
the Manchester bottleneck and, as the Minister with
responsibility for the northern powerhouse, I intend to go much
further.
(Reading
East) (Lab)
We face a climate emergency and urgent action is clearly needed
to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. That is why the Prime
Minister promised to invest in 4,000 zero-emission buses. Given
the seriousness of the issue and, indeed, the Prime Minister’s
promise, why has the Government’s own spending review reduced the
number of buses to which they are committed to just 500?
We are absolutely committed to introducing those 4,000 green
buses. The hon. Gentleman will have noticed that, because of the
pandemic, a large part of the industry has had to come to a
standstill while the passenger numbers have not been there. The
money in the spending review is a welcome start on that
programme. It does not in any way remove the intention to produce
all 4,000 buses. To expand, we have to start somewhere, and that
is what the new money will do.
(Coventry
North East) (Lab)
Coventry’s plans to run a battery-powered very light rail transit
system in the city are progressing well, thanks to the
world-beating local skills and expertise. Will the Minister tell
me what more the Government can do to support projects like that
to ensure our future public transport systems are efficient,
affordable and environmentally friendly?
We are investing record amounts in better battery technology,
including the Faraday Centre research, for example, and money to
build a gigafactory in this country—£1 billion, including cash to
go towards that. I have met recently with all the manufacturers
as well, and they are very much signed up to the Government’s new
10-point plan.
(Workington) (Con)
I thank my right hon. Friend and his Department for work they
have done to date on the localised A595 improvements, which
together will improve the lives of constituents in five Cumbrian
constituencies. Will he meet the five Cumbrian A595 MPs to
discuss a wider Cumbrian transport strategy?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
()
This Department is always happy to support development in Cumbria
and was pleased last month to announce £12 million of funding for
the A595 Grizebeck scheme. This is in addition to the £146
million announced at the spending review to accelerate vital
dualling work on the A66, slashing construction time from 10 to
five years, and I understand that a further business case is in
development for the A595. I know that my ministerial colleagues
in road and rail would be glad to meet Members to discuss a
broader Cumbrian strategy.
(Bermondsey
and Old Southwark) (Lab)
Even when we have all had the covid vaccine, the country will
still need an economic shot in the arm, and the Bakerloo line
extension delivers just that, providing tens of thousands of new
jobs and thousands of new homes, on top of all the amazing
transport benefits, which is why it is so strongly supported by
the public and by businesses and councils. The Prime Minister has
said that we are firmly on track to get construction under way by
2024 and have it up and running by 2030, so can the Transport
Secretary say what he is doing to ensure that construction begins
on time?
I certainly can. I have just approved the safeguarding of the
land to ensure that it can happen.
(Ipswich) (Con)
Over the summer, I carried out a survey in Ravenswood, and by far
the No. 1 issue was access. In fact, there is only one access
point, at the Thrasher’s roundabout on Nacton Road. Suffolk
County Council has put in a bid to the pinch point fund and is
currently awaiting an outcome. Would the Secretary of State look
favourably upon this application, which could be a game changer
with regard to this issue? Will he also meet me to discuss a
solution to this, to make life better for Ravenswood residents
who currently have to put up with unacceptable levels of
congestion every day when they leave their community to go to
work, drop off their kids at school or whatever else it is?
I know just how difficult the traffic is at the Thrasher’s
roundabout on Nacton Road and how hard my hon. Friend has
campaigned on this. The pinch point fund or, more likely, the
levelling-up fund, would be the way to proceed with this. That is
the new £4 billion fund to resolve problems exactly like the
Thrasher’s roundabout.
(Hammersmith) (Lab)
Three months ago, the Secretary of State said that he would take
control of the repairs to Hammersmith bridge, and he set up a
taskforce chaired by the Roads Minister. Yesterday, she boasted
that the Government would commit £4 million, which is less than
3% of the total cost and a fifth of what Transport for London and
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have already spent. The Secretary
of State knows that only the Government can fund the reopening of
what he calls this “key artery”, and anywhere else in the country
they would have already done so. Why not in London?
This bridge belongs to Hammersmith and Fulham Council. It is the
council’s responsibility. Secondly, it is TfL’s responsibility.
But the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: I had become fed up
waiting for something to happen between the council and TfL, and
when nothing was happening I wrote into the agreement with TfL
for funding the other week that it must spend money both getting
the ferry service going and starting the actual work. I am
pleased to say that, despite the inactivity of his local
authority, something is now happening thanks to our taskforce.
Jacob Young (Redcar) (Con)
Redcar train station has a fantastic old grade II listed station
building that sits empty and in a dilapidated state. Alongside
the council, I am working to see its renovation as a key gateway
to our town centre. Will the Secretary of State meet me and
council representatives to unlock the necessary funding for its
renovation and help us to gain the access required to revive
Redcar station?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the case of Redcar
train station. Stations such as Redcar are often at the heart of
communities, and I encourage him to keep working, as he is, with
the council and with industry to develop this idea. I would
direct him to the new stations fund. We hope to open a new round
of this within the next few months, and I am sure that the rail
Minister would be pleased to meet him to discuss possibilities.
(Warwick and Leamington) (Lab)
2002 Will the Minister confirm that the Government’s forthcoming
consumer experience of public electric vehicle charging
consultation will propose full roaming across public EV charging
networks, to ensure that consumers can readily access these
charge points anywhere across the UK?
Yes, absolutely. It is crazy, the number of different cards
people have to carry around and the membership schemes they have
to join. It makes it very difficult. We have more charging
locations than petrol stations, as I often say at this Dispatch
Box, but people have to be able to drive up to any of them and
use them. Contactless will be the way to do that, and we are
acting on exactly that proposal.
(Christchurch) (Con)
My right hon. Friend will be familiar with the benefits, both
environmental and economic, of warm mix asphalt. What are the
Government doing to ensure that the use of such asphalt on our
roads is the norm rather than the exception? It is the norm in
north America and increasingly in parts of Europe, but not here.
The reason it is not the norm here yet is bureaucratic red tape.
Will he take action to cut that red tape?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important point. The
Department recognises that warm mix asphalt may provide
environmental benefits, through energy saving, lowered emissions
and providing increased durability. Authorities should use what
they think is best to ensure that their roads are maintained and
safe, while also addressing climate commitments.
(Cambridge) (Lab)
With the mothballing of Crossrail 2, the four-tracking of routes
out of London, through the innovation corridor, up to Stansted
and Cambridge is at risk. Will the Minister look at separating
out some of those schemes to ensure that we get the kind of
reliability we need on those lines?
We are happy to look at any scheme in detail in order to be
assured that it is delivered in the safest, speediest and most
practical way possible.
(Waveney) (Con)
The county all- jparty group is shortly to a publish a report on
rural bus services, which will highlight both the vital
importance of buses for those living and working in rural areas,
and the fact that real-terms funding has fallen by 30% in the 10
years to 2019. Will the Minister assure the House that the needs
of rural communities will be prioritised in the forthcoming
national bus strategy?
This issue is of enormous importance to all rural communities. I
represent a rural area, so I understand the points my hon. Friend
makes. The Government entirely understand the importance of
sustainability of rural transport for communities across the UK.
The national bus strategy we are developing will set out how
national and local government, and the private sector, together,
will meet the needs of these communities.
(North
Ayrshire and Arran) (SNP)
Following criticism from the Office for Budget Responsibility of
Treasury calculations and assumptions, and at a time when the
aviation sector is on its knees, what concerns does the Secretary
of State have about the scrapping of the airside extra-statutory
concession and VAT retail export scheme, given that it supports
hundreds of jobs at Scottish airports and helps smaller airports
maintain and attract new routes, through cross-subsidy?
Taxation matters are, of course, a matter for the Treasury. We
have encouraged the sector to keep feeding in the data and its
experiences, because all taxation matters are always kept under
review.
(Bosworth) (Con)
The Secretary of State may know that last month, unfortunately,
the bridge in Hinckley won the accolade of the most bashed bridge
in Britain, having been hit 25 times in a year. This causes a
huge problem, with delays of more than six hours, on average.
Colleagues and I have raised this issue, and we are pleased to
have received £20 million in road investment strategy
2—RIS2—funding in March. What can he do to expedite the
improvements on the A5, solve problems such as the bridge and
make sure that we jolly well do not win that accolade next year?
I am sorry that my hon. Friend has the most bashed bridge in
Britain, and the Government want to take that accolade away from
him. That bridge at Hinckley has benefited from the £20 million
that he mentions. The office of the traffic commissioner has also
written to all goods vehicle and public service vehicle operators
warning them of regulatory action that will be taken if they fail
to stop bashing into the bridge. I can also assure him that
Highways England is working on measures to reduce the number of
strikes to the most bashed bridge in Britain.
(Stourbridge) (Con)
The Clockfields estate in my constituency has long suffered from
poorly maintained roads, owing to a complicated legal situation.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in encouraging all parties
involved to work harder and faster to bring a conclusion to this
matter, which has caused my constituents to live with such poor
road surfaces for so many years?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. I am not
sure whether this is one of those situations where the road has
not yet been adopted and that is part of the problem.
indicated assent.
My hon. Friend is nodding her head. I have had a similar
constituency experience of that, where roads for estates built 15
years ago still have not been adopted. I do think that it is an
issue, and I undertake to work on this complex legal issue with
my right hon. Friend the Housing Secretary, because it is a joint
transport and housing problem, and I have seen how much
difficulty it can create for all of our constituents.
(Aylesbury) (Con)
Aylesbury has recently begun a trial of e-scooters, and I have
been lucky enough to try one myself. However, at the same time
that I was sticking to my cycle lane, others were trying to pull
wheelies in the middle of the road, which is quite a feat, let me
tell you. Will the Secretary of State consider requiring
registration plates on all scooters, if legislation is introduced
to permit them, so that irresponsible riders can be identified
and punished?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right; while we are very keen to see
the roll-out of e-scooters, and about 20 communities are already
enjoying the benefits, it is also the case that we want to ensure
that the regulation is right and that every single e-scooter is
properly insured and built to the proper standards. That is why
we are carrying out a very careful and cautious programme to roll
them out, thanks to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport,
my hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (), and we will be reporting back to the House what we
learn from those trials and ensuring that the problems that my
hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury () raises are not experienced elsewhere.
