Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide enforcement powers to the Civil Aviation Authority, commensurate with those available in the EU and the United States, given the withdrawal of Article 16 of EU regulation 1107/2006, which previously provided for action in individual breaches of the relevant code.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to protecting the rights of passengers when travelling by air and consulted on a range of consumer issues in the Aviation Consumer Policy Reform Consultation. This included seeking views on additional administrative powers for the CAA to enforce consumer protection laws, and what more can be done to protect those with accessibility needs when travelling by air, including increased compensation for damage to wheelchairs and mobility equipment for domestic UK flights. We are currently conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of responses and will set out next steps shortly.
The revocation of Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, as retained in UK law following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), does not mean that Regulation 1107/2006 is unenforceable. Article 16 was a provision addressed to EU Member States to lay down rules on penalties for breach of the Regulation, which the UK had already done. As the UK has left the EU, it is no longer required or appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reinstate Article 16 of UK Regulation No 1107/2006, which grants the Civil Aviation Authority enforcement powers against operators who infringe upon the rights of disabled people who travel by air.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The revocation of Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, as retained in UK law following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), does not mean that Regulation 1107/2006 is unenforceable. Article 16 was a provision addressed to EU Member States to lay down rules on penalties for breach of the Regulation, which the UK had already done. As the UK has left the EU, it is no longer required or appropriate.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many closures, on what dates, and for what duration, occurred on the M1 motorway from 1 to 21 August; and what was the reason for reducing the M1 to one lane between junctions 24 and 25 (northbound) on the evening of 12 August and the morning of 13 August; and what work was undertaken during that closure in the coned off area of the motorway.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The information requested can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their new Aviation Passenger Charter, as specified at point 9 of the guidance on UK government action to minimise disruption in the aviation sector and protect passengers, announced by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority on 30 June; and what consultation they will conduct prior to its publication.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are working with industry, consumer and disability groups to develop and publish an Aviation Passenger Charter. The charter will provide a single point of information on their rights and responsibilities whilst travelling by air, from booking to if things go wrong. We aim to publish this soon.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to grant relief from the rules requiring vehicles registered overseas to be registered and taxed in the UK after a maximum period of six months for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK in private vehicles; and, if they do not have such plans, whether they will extend the six month period for vehicle registration and taxation until the first to occur of (1) an application by Ukrainian refugees for permanent residence in the UK, or (2) three years after their arrival in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is determined to ensure that Ukrainian arrivals encounter a warm reception in the UK, and the Department for Transport is presently engaging with DVLA colleagues to explore policy options, including possible options surrounding the vehicle registration fees for Ukrainian plated vehicles entering the UK.
My Department has also worked with the transport sector to provide wider assistance to those fleeing here from the conflict. Since mid-March 2022, all Ukrainians that enter the UK with the appropriate visa can travel on public transport from their port of entry to their end destination at no cost if travel occurs within 48 hours of arrival. This includes rail, bus and all Transport for London routes. To date, over 2,200 rail journeys have been made via the free onward travel offer, and many more on UK bus, coach and tram services. On the 20 June, this scheme was extended for a further six months.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to return DVLA staff to their offices, and (2) to reverse any decline in the productivity of the DVLA caused by measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. Online applications are not subject to delays and successful applicants will receive their driving licence within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application for a driving licence. The DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day which must be dealt with in person. The DVLA has been working with a reduced number of operational staff on site to allow for social distancing, in line with Welsh Government requirements. This, as well as ongoing industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), has led to delays. There may be additional delays in processing more complex transactions, for example, if medical investigations are needed.
Currently, driving licence applications made on paper are likely to take six to ten weeks to process. More information on turnaround times is available on the DVLA Covid-19 update page on GOV.UK.
The DVLA has reconfigured its accommodation to safely maximise the number of staff on site and is working hard to process applications as quickly as possible. The DVLA has accelerated the development of additional online services to reduce the number of paper applications and supported their take up through a publicity campaign. Further digital service enhancements are underway.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what the current waiting time is for the (1) renewal of, and (2) alteration to, driving licences.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. Online applications are not subject to delays and successful applicants will receive their driving licence within a few days.
However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application for a driving licence. The DVLA receives around 60,000 items of mail every day which must be dealt with in person. The DVLA has been working with a reduced number of operational staff on site to allow for social distancing, in line with Welsh Government requirements. This, as well as ongoing industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), has led to delays. There may be additional delays in processing more complex transactions, for example, if medical investigations are needed.
Currently, driving licence applications made on paper are likely to take six to ten weeks to process. More information on turnaround times is available on the DVLA Covid-19 update page on GOV.UK.
The DVLA has reconfigured its accommodation to safely maximise the number of staff on site and is working hard to process applications as quickly as possible. The DVLA has accelerated the development of additional online services to reduce the number of paper applications and supported their take up through a publicity campaign. Further digital service enhancements are underway.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government which countries are refusing to accept COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests taken in the UK for the purposes of travel and entry into their jurisdiction; and what steps they are taking to establish reciprocal arrangements for testing (1) prior to, and (2) at the conclusion of, travel into the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
It is a matter for each country to decide on appropriate health measures and some countries require different tests in line with their requirements. As international travel re-opens, where safe to do so, it is important for travellers to check the relevant travel advice for their destination country.
As set out in the recommendations of the Global Travel Taskforce, we are engaging bilaterally with international partners to explore how we can open international travel safely, including the potential piloting of digital and non-digital COVID-19 certification.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 1 February (HL5019), whether there is now a revised date for concluding the works to be undertaken between Junctions 16 and 19 of the M1 motorway and fully re-opening the motorway.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The section of works between M1 junctions 16 near Northampton and 19 near Rugby will be completed as a smart motorway by the end of December 2017.
The entire M1 junctions 13 to 19 scheme will be completed within Highways England’s Delivery Plan target by 2021-2022.
Asked by: Lord Blunkett (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect junctions 16 to 19 of the M1 motorway to be fully operational.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Highways England expected junctions 16 to 19 of the M1 motorway to be fully operational as a smart motorway by the end of March 2017. However, it is likely this will now be delayed and a revised date will be advised in due course.
The overall M1 junctions 13 to 19 scheme will still be completed within Highways England’s Delivery Plan target of 2021-2022.