Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the smart meter network in North East Scotland.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises that too many households across GB are currently unable to send automatic readings to their energy suppliers, including meters without access to WAN coverage. We will set out new plans to improve the rollout and the consumer experience, alongside Ofgem, in due course.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the economic impact of seasonal flight reductions at Aberdeen International Airport; and whether he is taking steps to encourage year-round services.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Whilst the Government recognises the role that regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, play in acting as a gateway to international opportunities, maintaining social and family ties and strengthening bonds between the four nations, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. It is for AGS Airports Ltd as the owners of the airport to invest in infrastructure to attract passengers, and work with airlines to maintain and create new connections, including negotiating year-round services and fares.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to tackle changes in the (a) number of flight services and (b) level of fares at Aberdeen International Airport.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Whilst the Government recognises the role that regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, play in acting as a gateway to international opportunities, maintaining social and family ties and strengthening bonds between the four nations, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. It is for AGS Airports Ltd as the owners of the airport to invest in infrastructure to attract passengers, and work with airlines to maintain and create new connections, including negotiating year-round services and fares.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to monitor pricing practices by airline operators on routes where there is (a) limited and (b) no competition (i) generally and (ii) at (A) Aberdeen International Airport and (B) other airports serving (1) remote and (2) rural areas.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has statutory competition functions in relation to airline markets. The CMA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) both have responsibilities for enforcing consumer protections relating to price transparency, contract terms and passenger rights, including those during flight disruption.
Additionally, Public Service Obligations (PSOs) support vital domestic routes that are at risk of being lost, particularly those connecting remote areas, guaranteeing a reliable and consistent service. The Department is actively engaging with regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, to understand how Government can support and unlock opportunities for growth.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to protect consumers on routes where a single airline operates the only available service.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has statutory competition functions in relation to airline markets. The CMA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) both have responsibilities for enforcing consumer protections relating to price transparency, contract terms and passenger rights, including those during flight disruption.
Additionally, Public Service Obligations (PSOs) support vital domestic routes that are at risk of being lost, particularly those connecting remote areas, guaranteeing a reliable and consistent service. The Department is actively engaging with regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, to understand how Government can support and unlock opportunities for growth.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the policy paper entitled Jet Zero strategy: one year on, published on 20 July 2023, whether it is his policy to have five commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel plants under construction in the UK by 2025.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Labour Party Manifesto included a commitment to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Since July we have already brought in a SAF mandate and committed to legislating for a revenue certainty mechanism to support UK SAF producers. The Advanced Fuels Fund supports a range of SAF projects across the UK, and the Department closely monitors progress towards commercial-scale production to ensure there is sufficient supply of SAF to meet the SAF mandate.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of current shortages in the supply of Salbutamol nebules on patients with respiratory conditions; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle procurement and supply chain issues to ensure continuity of supply.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Supply of salbutamol nebules, used to treat asthma, has now improved, although there may still be some short intermittent interruptions in supply experienced. We are working with NHS England to manage the supply issues and mitigate risks to patients. Communications have been issued to the National Health Service to provide management advice for all pharmacy teams and prescribers with information on alternative treatments that are available.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that mobile network investment through the Shared Rural Network programme prioritises improving connectivity in rural communities; whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) effectiveness and (b) environmental impact of the Total Not Spot initiative (i) in Scotland's National Parks and wildland areas and (ii) nationally; and whether he plans to review the allocation of resources between (A) addressing partial connectivity in populated rural areas and (B) installing infrastructure in remote, depopulated locations.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Shared Rural Network is designed to improve connectivity where people live, work, travel and visit. In very rural parts of Scotland, digital connectivity is vital for visitors, emergency services, lone workers and businesses utilising new technology.
To minimise environmental impact, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment will consider a range of factors to strike a balance between improving connectivity and minimising impact on the surrounding landscape. All masts will comply with planning rules for these areas and go through the proper planning process, with local planning authorities responsible for reviewing applications. Achieving a perfect balance between enhanced connectivity and environmental protection will not be easy, but I am keen to see a more sympathetic approach that focuses most on where people really need a secure connection.