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 ensure the longer-term sustainability of London Underground given the need to preserve social distancing and reduce passenger numbers on public transport due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
Government messaging is clear that public transport should only be used when necessary and that social distancing should be followed in stations and on trains. Transport for London, in conjunction with Network Rail where appropriate, have developed station plans and implemented them across the network to manage travel demand. The funding agreement reached with the Mayor of London includes increasing service levels as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network, making sure those who have no alternative to public transport can travel safely. As part of the funding agreement reached with the Mayor of London, there will be a broad ranging government-led review of TfL's future financial position and future financial structure.
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 has made an assessment of the potential merits of restoring the direct grant to Transport for London to ensure the longer-term sustainability of that transport authority; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Government has reached agreement with the Mayor of London on a package of support which will allow Transport for London (TfL) to continue to operate essential services during the COVID 19 outbreak. This funding agreement includes increasing service levels as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network, making sure those who have no alternative to public transport can travel safely. As part of this agreement, there will be a broad ranging Government-led review of TfL's future financial position and future financial structure.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what advice his Department has provided to cab drivers on protecting themselves and their passengers from the transmission of covid-19; and what financial support the Government has provided to cab drivers to implement requisite protective measures.
Answered by Rachel Maclean
The Government has published transport guidance on the safe provision of transport services during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are separate guidance documents for transport providers and for passengers. Both guidance documents cover all modes. The guidance sets out Government recommendations on who should be traveling and under what circumstances, and how social distancing rules should be interpreted. It also includes information about cleaning practices. In addition, we have been in contact with industry bodies to support interpretation of the guidance for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector.
We are aware of the issues being faced by the taxi sector and are working with industry to understand the particular pressures they are facing. The Self-employment Income Support Scheme allows taxi and PHV drivers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the 3 months from April to June. This is a temporary scheme, but it may be extended.
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 in response to the announcement by British Airways that the company will make 12,000 members of staff redundant.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
We recognise that this will be very distressing news for British Airways employees and their families.
The aviation sector is essential to the UK economy, and we encourage firms to draw on the unprecedented package of measures we have made available to support them through this time. This includes schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the contractual terms of the directly awarded franchise agreement with First Great Western Limited to run passenger rail services on the Great Western line; whether the franchise agreement makes provision for the role of the guard on Intercity Express Programme (IEP) trains; and what provisions for catering services on IEP trains are included in that franchise agreement in (a) first and (b) standard class.
Answered by Claire Perry
Following announcement of the Directly Awarded franchise on 23 March, the Franchise Agreement will be published on our website shortly, after the agreement has been through a redactions process consistent with the Railways Act and Freedom of Information Act.
Detailed provisions will be available upon publication.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2015 to Question 222661, for what reason a copy of the contracted franchise payment profiles for all train operating companies until 2023 has not yet been placed in the Library; and when he now plans to place a copy of that document in the Library.
Answered by Claire Perry
This was deposited into the Commons Library in February; ref. Dep 2015-0247
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 place in the Library an updated copy of the franchise payment profile for all train operating companies until 2023.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Secretary of State for Transport will endeavour to place an updated copy of the contracted franchise payment profiles for all train operating companies until 2023 (as they exist) in the Libraries of both Houses within three weeks from today. This time is required as the schedule is being updated to reflect the major changes to the payment profiles as a result of CP5 and changes to fares policy.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the at-seat catering service provided under the directly awarded franchise on the Great Western Main Line will be in addition to a buffet car or café-bar on the train.
Answered by Claire Perry
The current rail franchise which has been directly awarded to First Great Western started on 13 October 2013. It did not specify details of on-train catering services, which train operators are best placed to manage. The refreshed Franchising Schedule published on 10 October 2014 said that a further directly awarded franchise of 3½ years was anticipated to be awarded to First Great Western after the end of the current franchise on 19 September 2015. The Department for Transport is currently in discussion with First Great Western about the terms of this second directly awarded franchise.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the food for the at-seat catering service provided under the rail franchise directly awarded to First Great Western in October 2014 will be prepared by staff on-board the trains.
Answered by Claire Perry
The current rail franchise which has been directly awarded to First Great Western started on 13 October 2013. It did not specify details of on-train catering services, which train operators are best placed to manage. The refreshed Franchising Schedule published on 10 October 2014 said that a further directly awarded franchise of 3½ years was anticipated to be awarded to First Great Western after the end of the current franchise on 19 September 2015. The Department for Transport is currently in discussion with First Great Western about the terms of this second directly awarded franchise.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the terms of the rail franchise directly awarded to First Great Western in October 2014 retain the role of guard on all trains for the duration of the contract.
Answered by Claire Perry
The current rail franchise which has been directly awarded to First Great Western started on 13 October 2013. It makes no provision about the role of the guard. The refreshed Franchising Schedule published on 10 October 2014 said that a further directly awarded franchise of 3½ years was anticipated to be awarded to First Great Western after the end of the current franchise on 19 September 2015. The Department for Transport is currently in discussion with First Great Western about the terms of this second directly awarded franchise.