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Written Question
Transport for London: KPMG
Thursday 17th June 2021

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timeline is for the publication of the KPMG report into Transport for London’s financial sustainability.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

The Government’s review into Transport for London’s future financial position continues to be a matter of live policymaking. The Government will continue to monitor the public interest test for when publication might be appropriate.


Written Question
Driving Tests: Coronavirus
Monday 11th January 2021

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to make driving tests available for critical workers who may require them.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

Following the announcement of the national lockdown in England, all practical driving lessons and tests have been suspended. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is not currently offering a critical worker service. However, essential delegated bus and emergency service testing, including ambulance tests, will continue where they are identified as a priority by bus companies, the emergency services or NHS trusts.

The DVSA will continue to keep critical worker tests under review and announce any changes on its social media platforms.


Written Question
Driving Tests: Coronavirus
Monday 11th January 2021

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the period of validity of theory tests for learner drivers who have had their driving test cancelled as a result of covid-19 restrictions.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place for road safety reasons; to ensure that a candidate’s knowledge is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.

It is important that road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point that new drivers drive unsupervised for the first time. Those who have not been able to practice are most likely to see their knowledge base diminish and research suggests that this would be particularly harmful for hazard perception skills.

Ensuring new drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the training of new drivers, who are disproportionality represented in casualty statistics. Taking all this into consideration, the decision has been made not to extend theory test certificates and learners will need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires.


Written Question
Taxis: Coronavirus
Wednesday 11th November 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will encourage the covid-secure provision of black cabs by issuing bespoke guidance to drivers of those vehicles on safer taxi travel during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will introduce a discount scheme for black cab passengers as restrictions ease and alert levels decline.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

The Government has published ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators’ on the safe provision of transport services during the pandemic; this is applicable to the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) trade.

The Government has acted to support those that are self-employed and have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak across all sectors of the economy. The overwhelming majority of taxi and PHV drivers are self-employed and can therefore apply for grants through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme which has been extended to April 2021. Over the first three rounds of the scheme, up to £21,570 will have been made available. HMRC will provide details of the final grant, to cover the period from February, in due course. The Department is in regular contact with sector representatives to discuss their concerns and will consider ways in which further appropriate support might be provided.


Written Question
Transport for London Financial Review
Friday 4th September 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government’s review of Transport for London (TfL) will include an examination of the operating model of (a) London Underground and (b) TfL’s subsidiary transport operations.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

As agreed with the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL), Government is taking forward a broad ranging review of TfL’s future financial position and future financial structure, with the aim of identifying clear options for strengthening TfL’s future financial sustainability.

This will include identification of opportunities to deliver further efficiencies in the short to medium term in relation to operating costs across TfL’s operations including, London Underground. It will also include a review of the current TfL operating model.


Written Question
Transport for London Financial Review
Friday 4th September 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government’s review of Transport for London’s operating model will include an assessment of the potential option of privatising (a) London Underground Passenger services and (b) London Underground infrastructure.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

As agreed with the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL), Government is taking forward a broad ranging review of TfL’s future financial position and future financial structure, with the aim of identifying clear options for strengthening TfL’s future financial sustainability.

This will include identification of opportunities to deliver further efficiencies in the short to medium term in relation to operating costs across TfL’s operations including London Underground. It will also include a review of the current TfL operating model.


Written Question
Transport: Coronavirus
Monday 8th June 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what Government support is available for the families of transport workers who die from covid-19 in the course of their employment.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced on 27th April a life assurance scheme where families of eligible NHS and care workers, who die from coronavirus in the course of their frontline work, will receive a £60,000 payment.

Payments in respect of transport workers who die from Covid-19, or for any other reason, vary depending on the terms of death in service benefits of each person, with specific arrangements varying across modes and employers. For example, many members of the Railways Pension Scheme may have a death in service benefit of four times their final average pay.

Support provided in respect of key workers on the frontline will continue to be reviewed across government.


Written Question
Transport: NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020
Monday 8th June 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the potential extension of the covid-19 life assurance scheme to include the families of transport workers who die from covid-19 in the course of their employment, (a) what assessment he has made of the costs of extending that scheme and (b) by what date the decision on that extension will be made.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced on 27th April a life assurance scheme where families of eligible NHS and care workers, who die from coronavirus in the course of their frontline work, will receive a £60,000 payment.

Payments in respect of transport workers who die from Covid-19, or for any other reason, vary depending on the terms of death in service benefits of each person, with specific arrangements varying across modes and employers. For example, many members of the Railways Pension Scheme may have a death in service benefit of four times their final average pay.

Support provided in respect of key workers on the frontline will continue to be reviewed across government.


Written Question
Transport: NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme 2020
Monday 8th June 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the potential extension of the covid-19 life assurance scheme to include the families of transport workers who die from covid-19 in the course of their employment, what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Health and Social Care on that matter; and which Minister has responsibility for taking that decision.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced on 27th April a life assurance scheme where families of eligible NHS and care workers, who die from coronavirus in the course of their frontline work, will receive a £60,000 payment.

Payments in respect of transport workers who die from Covid-19, or for any other reason, vary depending on the terms of death in service benefits of each person, with specific arrangements varying across modes and employers. For example, many members of the Railways Pension Scheme may have a death in service benefit of four times their final average pay.

Support provided in respect of key workers on the frontline will continue to be reviewed across government.


Written Question
Transport for London: Coronavirus
Wednesday 27th May 2020

Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the (a) details and (b) conditions of the grant and loans provided to Transport for London on 14 May 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

Much of the detail of the agreement was outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement laid by the Secretary of State for Transport on Monday 18 May. As is usual with funding letters between the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport, the letter is not published on the Department for Transport website.