Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the social, and (2) the economic, impact of the restrictions on international travel introduced to address the COVID-19 pandemic on communities (1) directly dependant on aviation, and (2) dependant on manufacturing and supplies associated with the aviation industry.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry because of Covid-19 and firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor.
The Global Travel Taskforce report, published in April 2021, was created following extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders from the international travel and tourism industries to develop a risk-based framework that can facilitate the return of international travel while managing Variants of Concern.
The taskforce considered a full range of views from industry stakeholders to inform the final recommendations and we are grateful for their valuable contributions to the development of the report’s recommendations. We will continue to draw on the latest and most robust evidence and analysis about the impact of Covid-19 as we look to facilitate the safe return of international travel whilst protecting public health.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the long-term economic impact of the restrictions on international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic on (1) aviation communities, and (2) the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the challenging circumstances facing the aviation industry as a result of Covid-19 and firms experiencing difficulties can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor. In total, we estimate that by the end of April 2021 the air transport sector (airlines, airports and related services) has benefited from around £7bn of Government support since the start of the pandemic.
The Government conducted an assessment of the impact of the International Travel regulations, including the Passenger Locator Form and self-isolation in June 2020. The International Travel regulations are subject to review at least once every 28 days, to ensure they are in line with the latest scientific evidence and remain effective and necessary.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Lord Bethell on 12 October (HL8659) and Lord True on 24 June (HL5754), which UK citizens will be entitled to a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card that remains valid for travel in the EU after 31 December.
Answered by Lord Bethell
From 1 January 2021, under the Withdrawal Agreement some groups will be entitled to a United Kingdom-issued European Health Insurance Card for travel in the European Union. These include:
- UK state pensioners living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland at the end of the Transition Period;
- Individuals who are frontier workers at the end of the Transition Period, for as long as they continue to be covered by the Agreement; and
- EEA or Swiss nationals residing in the UK by the end of the Transition Period.
UK nationals already living in the EU who hold a member state EHIC may use this when accessing healthcare within the EU and UK.
For people not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the future of reciprocal healthcare arrangements between the UK and EU are subject to negotiations, which are ongoing.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their equity investment in OneWeb has been completed; and if not, whether there are any approvals from the government of the United States which are required before any such investment is completed.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
On Friday 2 October 20, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed OneWeb’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganisation, ensuring that the company remains on target to resume full business operations imminently.
This is a major step in OneWeb’s reorganisation process, and toward HM Government’s equity investment being completed.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when is the Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme due to report.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) will explore new and alternative ways to deliver vital satellite navigation services to the United Kingdom which are critical for the functioning of transport systems, energy networks, mobile communications, national security and defence.
The new programme is developing its workstreams and a Request For Information has been sent to industry. Following this, the programme will conduct a number of assessments of potential options for a space-based position navigation and timing capability.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the announcement on 24 September that they "will explore new options for a UK satellite navigation and timing capability programme to support the nation’s critical infrastructure", whether OneWeb can be used to provide such support.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) will explore new and alternative ways to deliver vital satellite navigation services to the United Kingdom which are critical for the functioning of transport systems, energy networks, mobile communications, national security and defence.
Government investment in OneWeb was for a cutting-edge telecommunications capability based on market analysis. We have been clear that PNT service wasn't the rationale for this particular investment, but of course we are open to considering how alternative technologies including Low Earth Orbit constellations may be able to contribute to PNT resilience in the future.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have agreed with their investment partners that OneWeb's manufacturing capability will be brought back from the United States to the UK.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The terms of the deal offer opportunities to bring future research and development and manufacturing to the UK.
OneWeb will consider any expansion of the company and its supply chain in the UK as part of their regular business planning process.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a launch mechanism for OneWeb satellites which is independent of Roscosmos.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The launch manifest and the chosen launch capabilities are commercial matters for OneWeb.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 16 September (HL7613), what challenges have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and what plans, if any, they have to introduce legislation before 31 December to ensure that passengers are protected from losses resulting from flight cancellations after the transition period has ended.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The pandemic has caused major disruption in the travel sector and the ability of consumers to travel. After the end of the EU Exit transition period, the Air Passenger Rights Regulations will be retained in domestic law and will therefore continue to apply.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK citizens will be able to enforce their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 after 31 December without new domestic legislation.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
EU261 rules apply until the end of the EU Exit transition period. After that point, those rules will be retained in domestic law and will therefore continue to apply.