Asked by: Baroness McGregor-Smith (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce COVID-19 testing at airports; and if so, on what date they plan to introduce such testing.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is actively working on the practicalities of using testing to release people from self-isolation earlier than 14 days. The Global Travel Taskforce (GTT) is working at pace to consider how testing, technology and innovation can drive a recovery for international travel and tourism, without adding to infection risk or infringing on our overall NHS test capacity.
In its work, the GTT will seek to consult representatives from:
The Taskforce will submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister in November.
Asked by: Baroness McGregor-Smith (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much financial support they plan to provide to the aviation industry in the UK to support that industry during the COVID-19 pandemic; and how they calculated the amount of such support required.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The aviation sector is crucial to the UK’s economy and businesses across the industry are able to draw on the unprecedented package of economic measures we have put in place during this time. This includes a Bank of England Covid Corporate Financing Facility scheme and the job retention scheme, both of which have been used by the aviation sector.
In exceptional circumstances, where a viable company has exhausted all options and its failure would disproportionately harm the economy, the Chancellor has made clear, the Government may consider bespoke support on a ‘last resort’ basis. We will notify Parliament of the spend incurred as a result of any deal.
Asked by: Baroness McGregor-Smith (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of levels of compliance with the quarantine rules when determining international travel requirements.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Throughout the pandemic, the Government has brought in the right measures at the right time, based on scientific advice. Scientific advice can give us estimates of the incidence of coronavirus internationally and domestically, and Ministers decide how to respond to the risk of imported cases based on this advice.
Self-isolation, if complied with, is an effective method of reducing imported cases of COVID-19, and is an important part of the Government’s international travel response to the pandemic.
Enforcement and compliance with border measures is a pivotal strand of this response. The Home Office has pressed ahead with improvements to enforcement and compliance, including increasing the number of contact tracing calls conducted by Public Health England.
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. Each review takes into account a range of factors and is guided by the scientific advice.
Asked by: Baroness McGregor-Smith (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what benefit analysis they have undertaken in regards to the quarantine policy for international arrivals.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Throughout the pandemic, we have brought in the right measures at the right time based on scientific advice. Scientific advice can give us estimates of the incidence of coronavirus internationally and domestically, and Ministers decide how to respond to the risk of imported cases based on this advice.
The Government conducted an assessment of the impact before initial implementation and these measures are subject to review every 28 days and supported by an Impact Summary, to ensure they are in line with the latest scientific evidence and remain effective and necessary.
Asked by: Baroness McGregor-Smith (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the new powers for cities to adopt charges to tackle vehicle pollution, what plans they have to give financial help to drivers of diesel cars.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In light of both updated information on real world emissions from diesel vehicles and the High Court judgement last year, we are developing a revised air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide. The consultation will address the measures needed to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations.