Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with (a) maritime trade unions and (b) the UK Chamber of Shipping on the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011: post implementation review, published on 19 April 2024.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.
The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to enforce the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 since those regulations were introduced.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.
The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department last made an assessment of the level of compliance amongst employers in the shipping industry with the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.
The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission on tackling discrimination against seafarers working in UK waters.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.
The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.
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 Baroness Maclean of Redditch
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.