Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that new car prices in Northern Ireland could increase by around £4,000 compared to Great Britain by 2026 under new regulatory divergence; what steps they are taking to prevent the emergence of a divided UK car market; and what discussions they are having with relevant UK and EU partners about that issue.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to meeting our obligations under the Windsor Framework relating to the approval of vehicles for the market in Northern Ireland, and to ensuring that consumers in NI are not restricted in their choice of vehicles.
Since the requirements for vehicle approval in Great Britain are derived from the EU's it makes sense to consider amendments made by the EU favourably. This government closely monitors those amendments and takes an explicit presumption in favour of alignment with them.
To this end the government will consult on proposals to align with Euro 6e emissions regulations, and is considering options for requiring the fitment of the safety technologies mandated by the EU's general safety regulation.
The government meets regularly with individual manufacturers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and has met the National Franchise Dealers Association to understand the issues facing them, including those caused by misalignment between the GB and EU schemes.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Civil Aviation Authority regarding increases in airport car-parking charges.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and parking arrangements are subject to contractual agreements between airport operators and car parking companies covered by consumer laws.
The provision and charging of car parking at airports (including drop off and pick charges) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify. The Department has made no representations to the Civil Aviation Authority as this is a commercial matter for airports.
Any grievance about charges for car parking should be raised with the airport operator directly. However, the Department for Transport expects car parking at airports to be managed appropriately and consumers treated fairly.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are giving to local authorities to address accidents caused by pot holes.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland responsibility for maintaining the highway rests with the respective devolved administration.
In England, local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the public highway network in their area.
In addition to the capital highways maintenance funding provided by Government, the Department works with the highways sector to produce guidance and best practice and encourages good practice in local highways asset management. The Department endorses the UK Roads Leadership Group’s ‘Well Managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice’. This provides guidance for highway authorities to consider when managing and maintaining the highways infrastructure assets for which they are responsible.
In addition, the Government commissioned ‘Potholes: a repair guide’, published by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) in March 2019.
In the 2022 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor confirmed the three-year settlement announced at Spending Review 2021: approximately £915 million capital funding per year for local highways maintenance for local highway authorities across England outside of London and the mayoral combined authorities who are in receipt of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS).
In addition, at Budget 2023 the Chancellor announced an extra £200 million for highways maintenance for the 2023/24 financial year.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of lorry drivers to fill workforce shortages.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We are supporting apprenticeships, including to train lorry drivers. A revised standard will be available from 1 August 2021 attracting £7,000 in apprenticeship levy funding. There is also an incentive payment of £3,000 available for new apprentices of any age with an employment start date of 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021.
The Department for Work and Pensions is developing a scheme to train jobseekers in HGV driving. The Flexible Support Fund is available to help the unemployed or those in receipt of Universal Credit renew their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
The Department has provided a grant for the non-profit initiative Road to Logistics to train military service leavers, ex-offenders and the long term unemployed to move into jobs in the logistics sector, including lorry driving.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when travel restrictions will be lifted to allow travel from the UK to the United States of America.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Travel from the UK to the US is restricted under Presidential Executive Order and regulations 212(f). These measures have now been in place for over 400 days and meaningful travel cannot begin in earnest until the US lifts these restrictions.
The Prime Minster and President Biden have made clear the importance of bringing about the return of safe trans-Atlantic travel as soon as possible. The newly formed joint UK-US Experts’ Working Group is now underway, and we are working closely with our US partners on delivering this important goal.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will decide whether or not a third runway is approved at Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Government has set up the Airports Commission to examine the question of how best to maintain the UK’s international hub connectivity.
As its Interim Report shows, the Airports Commission has shortlisted two options at Heathrow Airport as well as an option at Gatwick for further study.
The Commission’s final report is due to be submitted to Government in summer 2015. The Government’s principle concern is to protect the integrity and independence of the Commission through to the final report and will not be commenting on its ongoing work.
Asked by: Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Northern Ireland Aviation Strategy.
Answered by Robert Goodwill
The Secretary of State for Transport has had no recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on a Northern Ireland Aviation Strategy.
The Secretary of State gave evidence to the Parliamentary Northern Ireland Committee, and the Government responded to the Committee’s report on an air strategy for Northern Ireland in 2013.
Air transport policy in the United Kingdom remains a reserved issue. However some related matters including surface access to airports and those pertaining to land use planning are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive.