Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to deliver the reforms to category B driving licence flexibility proposed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to reduce the barriers to using 4.25 tonne electric vans.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current category B driving licence restrictions on uptake of 4.25 tonne electric vans.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current MOT rules for 4.25 tonne electric vans on the uptake of such vehicles.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review MOT rules for 4.25 tonne electric vans to reduce barriers to using such vehicles.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the applicability of EU drivers' hours rules to 4.25 tonne electric vans on the uptake of such vehicles.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the applicability of EU drivers' hours rules to 4.25 tonne electric vans to reduce the barriers to using such vehicles.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers’ hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with railway operators to avoid disruption such as occurred on 26 February on trains to Gatwick; what discussions they have held with airlines regarding compensation for those who may miss their flights as a result of rail disruption; and what steps they will take to avoid such scenarios in future.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
Unfortunately, Govia Thameslink Railway services were very heavily disrupted on the morning of 26 February by a number of Network Rail infrastructure incidents across the Sussex area.
Network Rail, which is the organisation responsible for rail infrastructure, continues to work closely with train operators to improve how the industry responds to unplanned disruption. The Department monitors operational performance closely and engages with the rail industry at all levels which includes regular meetings on punctuality and reliability with both Network Rail and representatives from the train operators.
Train operators do not offer compensation to passengers for missed flights and as such there have been no discussions between the Department and airlines on this matter. The Department would urge passengers to use the Delay Repay scheme for compensation on their rail journey and consider other claims using their own travel insurance.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between the quantity and quality of lorry parking facilities and the (1) number, and (2) diversity, of lorry drivers.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what forecasts they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities for each year up to 2030.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of utilisation of lorry parking at on-site facilities.
Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Minister (Home Office)
The National Survey of Lorry Parking, which was published on 29th September 2022, is our primary evidence base to understand what improvements to lorry parking facilities are most needed and where they are needed. The survey showed an average shortage of 4,068 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022, and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.
HGV driver numbers are stabilising. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data from the Annual Population Survey on the number of HGV drivers in the UK; these are published on a quarterly basis. In the year July 2022 to June 2023 there were 287,600 HGV drivers. There were 19,500 fewer HGV drivers compared to the year July 2018 to June 2019. This is significantly up from the height of the HGV driver shortage where there were 271,800 drivers in the year January 2021 to December 2021.
In respect of diversity, the ONS’ Annual Population Survey showed that 2% of HGV drivers were women, and that 35% of HGV drivers were over the age of 55 with 17% of the workforce under the age of 35.
To investigate the issue further, we commissioned a rapid evidence review of recruitment and retention issues in the HGV driver workforce, which found that a lack of or poor facilities was perceived to be one of the most important barriers to recruitment and retention.
Therefore, the Government recognises the need to ensure all hauliers have access to appropriate services and facilities, including to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
That is why lorry drivers will soon benefit from improved roadside facilities and safer rest areas thanks to up to £100 million investment from industry and Government via the ‘HGV parking and welfare grant scheme’ and National Highways funding to improve roadside facilities. This funding will support operators to make improvements, such as better security, showers and eating facilities, as well as possibly increasing spaces for lorry drivers.
On 11 September, we announced 39 successful applications who will potentially receive up to *£7 million in government funding from the first application window of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme. Bids received were for improvements to welfare facilities, enhanced security as well as increased parking capacity.
Window 2 closed on 20 November and applications are currently being reviewed.
The Department continues to engage with key stakeholders to encourage the development of more safe, secure, and high-quality lorry parking to improve driver welfare.