Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the context of their negotiations on the UK–US trade agreement, what priority they are giving to engaging with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations to support multilateral cooperation on improved vehicle safety.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government continues to prioritise engagement with the UN World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and recognises it as the key forum for multilateral cooperation to improve vehicle safety.
We actively participate in WP.29 and fully support the importance of international regulations in enhancing road safety.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Office of Rail and Road’s independent review of train operators’ revenue protection practices, what plans they have to ensure best practice in revenue protection as part of the transition to Great British Railways.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Through the creation of Great British Railways, we are bringing operators together, which will naturally put an end to some of the siloed behaviours that have contributed to opaque and inconsistent revenue protection practices. This transition will ensure a more unified approach across the sector, ensuring passengers are treated fairly and in accordance with the correct procedures.
In addition, the industry has already begun work with revenue protection leads across the rail sector, providing a platform to share best practices regularly. We will respond to the next steps for the report by summer 2025.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with European counterparts to address infrastructure bottlenecks and ensure new HS2 and domestic rail capacity can be used to improve international rail services and connectivity.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports the growth of international rail passenger services given the environmental, social and economic benefits they provide.
My officials continue to engage on a regular basis with infrastructure managers and European partners to discuss the potential for new routes and potential market entrants, particularly given the unique requirements of operating through the Channel Tunnel.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Campaign for Better Transport titled Runways to railways: unlocking the potential of the Channel Tunnel, what steps they will take to ensure that international rail connectivity is addressed within the current domestic rail reform agenda, to fully realise the economic and environmental benefits identified in the report.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government fully supports a thriving and competitive international rail passenger services market, given the benefits it can bring including potentially greater choice, new service offers and lower fares for passengers.
The Government welcomes the Campaign for Better Transport’s report, and recognises the significant growth potential of international rail connectivity. DfT officials are engaging proactively with international partners and industry counterparts, including prospective operators, to discuss the potential for new routes and services and help facilitate these where possible.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch on 13 May (HL7133), whether the remit of the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce includes considerations of standardised battery health testing for electric vehicles.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The role and remit of the UK Battery Strategy Taskforce has evolved since its inception, and the publication of the UK Battery Strategy, in 2023.
The Taskforce consistently uses their collective expertise to provide a robust challenge function to assist the Department for Business and Trade achieve a successful and effective implementation of the UK Battery Strategy.
Whilst its remit does not directly include consideration of standardised battery health testing for electric vehicles, the Taskforce seeks to identify important knowledge gaps where further research and/or evidence gathering should be considered.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 15 May (HL7132), whether the consultation will set out a timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, and whether they will publish that timeline.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
A proposed timeline for implementing UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK will be set out in the consultation. The Government aims to publish this consultation later this year.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make an assessment of the implementation of a standardised battery health certification scheme for electric vehicles; and its impact on (1) consumer confidence and (2) growth in the second-hand electric vehicle market.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The battery forms a large part of an electric vehicle’s (EV) value and performance. Information about EV battery health could help consumers in the used vehicle market to make informed comparisons between vehicles and alleviate concerns about battery durability, supporting the growth of the used EV market.
The UK has worked with international partners at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on EV batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, this regulation would ensure that EVs provide easily accessible, accurate, and comparable information on the battery’s state of health. The Government is analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to implementing UN Global Technical Regulation 22 on electric vehicle batteries in the UK; and what is their timeline for implementation.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is currently considering options for the implementation of UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, taking into account the implementation timelines of other key markets, such as the EU. The Government aims to consult on these plans later this year.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make an assessment of the potential of garage and repair networks to offer accessible and affordable MOT and maintenance services for electric vehicles, including battery health testing.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has endorsed the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) TechSafe scheme, which helps to ensure technicians have the skills they need to safely repair an electric vehicle (EV) and allows consumers to access a register to find their nearest EV competent technician. According to the IMI, 64,700 technicians are already qualified to work on an EV. This represents 26% of all technicians in the UK.
At MOT vehicles are tested for safety critical components, such as tyres and brakes. The Government has not seen any evidence to suggest that EV battery health impacts road worthiness and therefore the need for testing during the MOT. In 2023, the Department for Transport published a call for evidence, which included questions related to EV testing. The Department continues to consider EV-specific items to improve the MOT test and expects to consult on these changes in the near future.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the report of the Climate Change Committee Progress in adapting to climate change: 2025 report to Parliament, published on 30 April, what infrastructure investment and resilience planning it is undertaking.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We welcome the Climate Change Committee’s constructive assessment, recognising the progress that has been made in planning for climate change across our transport system and the economy, as well as areas for improvement.
As part of our Plan for Change we are investing a record £2.65 billion to repair and build flood defences, protecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses and helping local communities become more resilient to the effects of climate change such as overheating and drought.
One of the core objectives of the government’s forthcoming 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy is enabling resilient growth. This includes ensuring that growth is resilient to climate change. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy will set out how flood risk management infrastructure, and other actions to increase resilience to the physical effects of climate change, can protect existing, and enable new, economic activity.
We are considering the Climate Change Committee’s Progress Report and will respond to its recommendations in October as required by the Climate Change Act.