Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on bilateral negotiations for a covid-19 vaccine visa with countries that are popular as holiday destinations for UK tourists.
Answered by Robert Courts - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
The Department for Transport is leading a successor to the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a framework that can safely facilitate international travel when the time is right, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants. As part of that, we continue to engage with bilateral partners to explore how to open up international travel safely, including the role of vaccine and testing certificates. We also continue to work with a range of international partners to look at new technology and evidence as it emerges, assessing if it could be applicable to international travel.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether train drivers working for (a) Northern Rail and (b) London North Eastern Railway are classed as public sector workers and will not receive a pay rise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that since 2011 all rail workers’ earnings have increased at rates often double that for the average UK worker.
We are still working through how the public sector pay policy announced by the Chancellor may affect rail workers working for Northern Rail and London North Eastern Railway.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the introduction of tolls on the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges; and whether a decision has been taken on discounts for use of those bridges for local businesses and residents.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State has not discussed this issue with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A final decision on whether to fund further discounts to users of the bridges has yet to be taken.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of tolls on the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges on the (a) finances, (b) employment levels, (c) employment choices and (d) road travel habits of residents of Knowsley.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Secretary of State for Transport has not produced an assessment of the effect of tolls on the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges on the (a) finances, (b) employment levels, (c) employment choices and (d) road travel habits of residents of Knowsley. The Mersey Gateway Bridge scheme is being promoted by Halton Borough Council and it is for them to justify the costs for users of the new bridge. A range of discounts will be available for frequent users of the crossing.
In approving the scheme the Government considered the case for change, the economic case, and that the scheme is viable, affordable and achievable. In line with other estuarial crossings, and as there will be improved travel across the Mersey, users are expected to part fund the infrastructure.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the importance of direct long-haul air links with a hub airport for international trade.
Answered by John Hayes
Evidence on the links between long-haul air connections and international trade was presented by the Airports Commission in its Final Report and supporting documents. The Government is considering all of this evidence very carefully before reaching a view on its preferred scheme. The Government is not providing a running commentary on this work before an announcement on its preference.
Asked by: George Howarth (Labour - Knowsley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the additional travel costs likely to be incurred by people not resident in Halton, of commuting using the bridge, arising from the Mersey Gateway Project in the first year that bridge is open.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Department does not hold the information requested.