Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on releasing funding for East Riding of Yorkshire Council from the Local Transport Fund.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department of Transport pays local transport funding to Local Transport Authorities (LTAs). East Riding of Yorkshire council is a constituent authority of Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, which acts as the LTA.
Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority will receive a total local transport settlement of £288,222,764 from the Department for Transport over the Spending Review period (2026/27 to 2028/29 for RDEL and 2029/30 for CDEL). This is paid as a single Mayoral Transport Fund, giving Hull and East Yorkshire the freedom and flexibility to support the strategic priorities of the local transport network.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the financial impact on Coastguard Rescue Officers who lose income from their primary employment when responding to emergency callouts; and whether she plans to introduce measures to ensure such volunteers are not financially disadvantaged.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The revised operating model for the Coastguard Rescue Service (CRS) has been agreed following a Court of Appeal ruling, which meant that the current remuneration model could not legally continue.
We deeply value and recognise the significant service Coastguard Rescue Officers provide along our coastline and thank them for their service. The revised model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to serve alongside their primary employment. Protecting volunteering preserves and strengthens communities, builds transferable skills, and underpins emergency response; volunteering has been at the heart of search and rescue for generations.
HMCG has 3000 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers, all with unique personal circumstances and we recognise that any change will affect individuals differently. Under the revised CRS model Coastguard Rescue Officers will continue to be able to claim expenses. The new Expenses Policy enables volunteers to claim non-taxable reimbursement for reasonable costs including travel, meals, equipment, accommodation, and other authorised expenses incurred in connection with their duties.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce a strategy for motorcycle safety.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
By miles travelled, motorcyclists are over 40 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than someone travelling by car. That is why motorcyclist safety was included in the new Road Safety Strategy.
Although there are no plans for a separate motorcycle strategy at this time the Road Safety Strategy announced a consultation on an ambitious package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for Category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain. That consultation closes on May 11th.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to transition from E10 to E15 fuel.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The UK Government made E10 the standard (or ‘premium’) grade petrol in Great Britain in September 2021. Previously the grade supplied at UK forecourts contained a lower bioethanol content known as E5.
In making the decision to mandate E10 the Department carried out extensive consultation and undertook a comprehensive public information campaign. The UK did not move to E10 without assurance that vehicles on UK roads were ready to safely use higher blends of bioethanol, and that such a transition would align with industry agreed fuel standards for petrol.
The industry agreed standard for petrol, EN228, currently only permits fuel suppliers to supply petrol containing up to 10% ethanol (E10). The Department continually reviews all policies relevant to biofuels, including on E10. Any changes to fuel regulation would require alignment with industry led fuel standards for petrol and a consultation.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to continue to fund the universal bus pass for those of pension age.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The government recognises the importance of the scheme, which supports local bus travel, assists with access to essential local services and helps those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation. The government has absolutely no plans to withdraw the concessionary bus pass scheme.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to extend the £2 bus fare cap beyond 31 December 2024.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the government’s top priorities as we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The Department for Transport is looking at the future of the £2 fare cap as a matter of urgency and is considering the most appropriate and affordable approach for the future of the scheme.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much she plans to provide East Riding of Yorkshire Council from the Local Transport Fund.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The previous government made a number of funding commitments in the Network North Command Paper and these will be examined closely by the government in the coming months.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will support the introduction of high-bioethanol blends into petrol to maintain future jobs in the bioethanol industry.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The revised industry fuel standard for petrol (EN228), agreed and published by the British Standards Institution in 2013, allows up to ten per cent bioethanol content (known as ‘E10’). However, E10 is not yet on general sale in the UK and whether to supply it is a commercial decision for suppliers.
We have been working with industry and others on proposals to increase the supply of sustainable biofuels under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme in line with our UK carbon budget targets, and plan to consult on proposed changes to the RTFO later this year.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to make the East Coast Main Line more resilient to power line failures.
Answered by Claire Perry
Network Rail has recently completed work to renew various overhead line components on the East Coast Main Line. Particular focus has been between King's Cross and Hitchin where contact and catenary wire and droppers were replaced. This has resulted in improved performance. Network Rail are also delivering a £250 million project to enhance power supply on the southern part of the route. This will allow the new Intercity Express and Thameslink trains to operate an enhanced service.
Asked by: Graham Stuart (Conservative - Beverley and Holderness)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times there have been power line failures on the East Coast Main Line in each of the last three years.
Answered by Claire Perry
We do not hold information regarding power line failures to that level of disaggregation. Network Rail may have this information, and my Hon Friend may wish to contact them directly through Mark Carne, Chief Executive, Network Rail, 1 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 2DN.