Oral Answers to Questions

James Asser Excerpts

Thursday 16th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood]

I have met the hon. Gentleman in the past to talk about some of the disruptions caused by improvements to the road network in his constituency. I am sure that the Roads and Buses Minister would be happy to continue those discussions.

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

16. What steps she is taking to support the aviation sector.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Keir Mather)]

The Government are committed to supporting the aviation sector. We are unlocking growth by progressing planning decisions and consulting on the framework for future decisions on Heathrow’s third runway. We are modernising our airspace through the new UK airspace design service and support fund, and are driving decarbonisation, backing sustainable aviation fuel and providing funding for new low and zero emission technologies. We will publish an updated jet zero strategy in early 2027.

[James Asser]

I recently visited the British Airline Pilots’ Association training facility and flight simulator with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. I confess, Mr Speaker, that the results were mixed: if you are flying on your holidays next week, you would not want to fly with either of us! But if I had wanted to fly, I would face training costs in excess of £100,000, with very few funding packages to provide support. That means that kids in my constituency can watch the planes take off at London City airport but stand very little chance of actually joining that industry. Does the Minister agree that we need accessible pathways to pilot training in order to drag the system into the 21st century and to remove it from a position where only a small minority with the financial means to do so can access the industry?

[Keir Mather]

My hon. Friend is right that the barriers to a career in aviation are too high, and this Government are committed to supporting recruitment from as diverse a range of backgrounds as possible. Our Generation Aviation programme promotes aviation careers through outreach and apprenticeships to help build a future-ready workforce, and has reached over 1 million young people since it began.

Disruption at Heathrow

James Asser Excerpts

Monday 24th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Heidi Alexander]

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, in addition to the conversations I had with the chief executive of Heathrow, I was updated throughout the weekend by my officials on what was happening at the airport. I am happy to write to him about the wider point he raises.

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

As the Secretary of State is aware, my constituency contains London City airport, which sits closely alongside residential and business buildings, so safety is something we are very alive to. It is also an area of massive regeneration, so we are also alive to power pressure, and that part of her statement will be interesting for my constituents. Can she assure us not only that the review and the lessons learned will be shared, but that we will look at how they can be adapted, so that other airports can adjust and carry out future-proofing for their resilience, and so that we are not just learning lessons after the event?

Oral Answers to Questions

James Asser Excerpts

Thursday 13th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) (Lab)]

1. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to purchase electric vehicles.

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

7. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to use electric vehicles.

[Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) (Lab)]

18. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to use electric vehicles.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lilian Greenwood]

My hon. Friend’s expertise in the field is welcome. Showcasing the benefits of EV ownership and the growth of the public charging point network are vital to supporting the transition away from diesel and petrol-powered cars. As he will know, EV drivers can save hundreds of pounds a year, and the average range of a new EV is now 236 miles. That is about two weeks’ driving for most people, and of course it is cleaner and greener. We are working closely with industry stakeholders to promote positive messaging around EVs and to improve consumer confidence.

[James Asser]

One of the challenges facing people who are moving to electric vehicles is the charging infrastructure, particularly in inner cities. Local authorities have worked to try to help that, but they have limited resources. My old team at Newham council did a deal with Uber to supply 400 on-street charging units. Does the Minister agree that that sort of partnership using public sector actors with private finance could help resolve the issue? Could the Government look at ways they could work with local authorities to secure those public-private partnerships?

[Lilian Greenwood]

It is great to hear about Newham council’s partnership that was developed under my hon. Friend’s leadership. The £381 million local EV infrastructure fund does just as he suggests, and is expected to deliver 100,000 charging points across the country, supporting those drivers without off-street parking to switch to electric vehicles.