Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what further discussions he plans in 2022 with his Italian counterpart to help ensure that UK citizens, resident in Italy before the end of 2020, will be able to exchange their UK driving licences for those of Italy without the need to take an Italian driving test.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government remains committed to securing an agreement for UK licence holders resident in Italy, to exchange their UK driving licences for those of Italy without the need to take an Italian driving test. The UK already has similar arrangements in place with 24 other EU countries.
Department for Transport officials will continue to negotiate exchange arrangements for UK licence holders resident in Italy as a matter of priority. While those discussions are ongoing, UK licence holders can continue to use their UK licence until 31 December 2022, or for 12 months from becoming a resident in Italy, whichever is later.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on helping to ensure that UK citizens, resident in Italy before the end of 2020, can exchange their UK driving licences for those of Italy without the requirement to take an Italian driving test.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government remains committed to securing an agreement for UK licence holders resident in Italy, to exchange their UK driving licences for those of Italy without the need to take an Italian driving test. The UK already has similar arrangements in place with 24 other EU countries.
Government officials have engaged frequently in discussions with Italy on the terms and nature of arrangements for UK licence holders resident in Italy since the UK’s exit from the EU. While those discussions are ongoing, UK licence holders can continue to use their UK licence until 31 December 2022, or for 12 months from becoming a resident in Italy, whichever is later.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will reimburse independent lifeboats for costs incurred during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
I recognise the valuable services provided by independent lifeboats in ensuring the safety of local communities, and appreciate the scale of the challenge facing smaller maritime operators from Covid-19.
The financial impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic cannot be underestimated. To support businesses and employees, HMG has responded with an unprecedented £330 billion of financial measures.
Charities, including independent lifeboats, are playing a crucial role in the national fight against Covid-19, backed up by an army of volunteers. In recognition of the vital services that charities provide, HMG has also made substantial funding available to ensure they can continue to deliver key services that many people rely upon.
Comprehensive guidance has been published to highlight these grant opportunities for charities, and to ensure that volunteers can continue to undertake their roles safely.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to support and develop the UK's shipping sector.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
The maritime sector plays an important role for the UK economy, facilitating 95% of our global trade, and has continued to do so throughout the Covid-19 pandemic by enabling the delivery of critical goods, including medicine and personal protective equipment. However, it has also faced significant disruption and the government has provided financial support to ensure that lifeline services and critical freight services continue to operate.
Maritime 2050, which was published in January 2019, sets out an ambitious joint plan between the government and the maritime industry for how the UK will continue to be a world leading maritime nation and develop to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Given the changes that Covid-19 has caused, we are working with the maritime sector to consider where new recommendations could be made in addition to Maritime 2050, or existing recommendations accelerated, to help the maritime sector recover from Covid-19 and continue to grow. We will publish a route-map setting out these actions later in the year.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect on rural communities of reductions in the level of rural bus services during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
On 23 May, the Transport Secretary announced a further £254 million to help increase bus services across England as quickly as possible as we begin to re-open our economy. This is in addition to the £397 million the Government announced on 3 April 2020 to keep England’s buses running to serve those who need to rely on them.
In addition, the Government allowed local authorities to use the extra £30 million in 2020/21 to support essential bus services and provided £20 million through the Rural Mobility Fund to support demand responsive services in rural communities.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the financial effect on garages of the six-month extension to MOT tests in the event that the covid-19 lockdown is lifted.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The loss of MOT fee income has been estimated at £664 million, which is based on the average cost of an MOT of £40 multiplied by the number of MOTs due over the next 6 months. This will be mitigated in part by Government support for industries affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Asked by: Anthony Mangnall (Conservative - Totnes)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to further encourage cycling as a form of commuting.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
On the 9th May the Government announced a £2bn package of funding for cycling and walking. This includes £250m which will encourage cycling to work through the provision of pop up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, safer junctions as well as vouchers for cycle repairs and greater provision for bike fixing facilities. This builds on the refreshed Cycle to Work Scheme Guidance published in 2019 which made it easier for employers to provide bicycles and equipment including e-bikes and adapted bikes worth over £1,000.