Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department as made of the gross value added to the UK economy by the general aviation sector in the last 12 months.
Answered by John Hayes
In March 2015 the Government published research that the Department for Transport commissioned from York Aviation entitled “The Economic Value of General Aviation in the UK”.
That research contained an estimate of the gross value added to the economy by general aviation in the UK as being £3.8bn direct and indirect economic benefit, supporting 38,000 jobs.
We have commissioned research on what a strategic network of general aviation airfields might look like and this research may review that calculation.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of airfields in the UK.
Answered by John Hayes
The majority of airfields in the UK are privately run and owned.
The Government takes the matter of airport capacity seriously. In March 2015 the Government published research that the Department for Transport commissioned from York Aviation entitled “The Economic Value of General Aviation in the UK”.
That research contained an estimate of the jobs linked to the general aviation sector in the UK being 38,000.
We are commissioning research on what a strategic network of general aviation airfields might look like and this research may review that calculation.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to increase regional aviation capacity.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government recognises that regional air connectivity across the UK is very important and airports support regional economies, create skilled employment opportunities and enable business and leisure travel. However, the UK aviation market operates in a competitive, commercial environment; it is therefore for airlines to determine which routes they operate.
A priority for the new Aviation Strategy (Call for Evidence published July 2017) will be to ensure that the aviation sector continues to provide and improve regional connectivity across the regions and nations of the UK in a way that benefits the country as a whole. Also, as part of the Call for Evidence we asked for views on the proposed policy to support airports throughout the UK making the best use of their existing runways, subject to environmental issues being addressed, and we are now considering those responses.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to discuss with the Department for Communities and Local Government the co-ordination of (a) the drafting of the General Aviation Strategy document, (b) the drawing up of the National Planning Policy Framework and (c) general aviation policy.
Answered by John Hayes
The National Planning Policy Framework was published on 27 March 2012 and the General Aviation Strategy on 25 March 2015. Departments across Government are involved in discussing aviation policy, including in relation to general aviation.
With regard to (c), Departments across government will be involved in discussing aviation policy, including policy in relation to General Aviation, as we develop the new Aviation Strategy.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 111 of the National Planning Policy Framework published by his Department in March 2012, what his policy is on the development of brownfield land classified as being of high environmental value; and whether he has plans to amend paragraph 111 of the National Planning Policy Framework in order to (a) limit and (b) prohibit such development.
Answered by Lord Barwell
This Government has committed to increasing the take-up of brownfield sites for development, especially for new homes. Our National Planning Policy Framework asks local authorities to encourage re-use of brownfield sites wherever practicable, and the law now requires each local authority to maintain a register of local brownfield sites suitable for housing. However, for a brownfield site to be suitable to redevelop, it should not be of high environmental value. In the Government’s view, this policy is clear to decision-makers, and we see no reason to amend the Framework, or to limit the freedom of local communities to judge how to apply national policy to the facts of particular cases.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encourage companies to purchase from UK companies which have developed products through programmes funded from the public purse.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The objective of Government support for business is to put the United Kingdom in a strong position for the future, promoting a diversity of businesses and industrial sectors, as well as ensuring the benefits of growth are shared across cities and regions up and down the country.
The Government regularly showcases the best that British business has to offer, for example through its GREAT Britain campaign, which aims to inspire the world and encourage people to do business with manufacturers in the UK. On 21 April we announced the winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise; 176 businesses from across the UK have been recognised for their contribution to international trade, innovation, sustainable development and this year’s new award, promoting opportunity. Some of these companies have previously benefitted from public funding, thus demonstrating the real benefits to businesses and society that can be derived from properly-targeted Government support.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what international rules will govern cross-border general aviation traffic after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including future arrangements for the regulation of cross-border general aviation traffic. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply alongside national rules. The Department for Transport is working closely with the sector to best understand its requirements.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will reclassify general aviation airfields as a national infrastructure issue for which any changes require approval above local authority level.
Answered by John Hayes
The government is seeking to better define a strategic network of General Aviation airfields and is engaging with the General and Business Aviation Strategic Forum to do this.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to encourage the building and opening of new airfields.
Answered by John Hayes
The majority of airfields in the UK are privately run and owned. Any application to build or open a new airfield would be for the landowner and Local Planning Authorities to consider.
Like other business enterprises, potential investors and owners of airfields can benefit from a range of measures that the Government has set in place to support businesses and promote growth.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, at what level of seniority his Department had discussions with (a) the Royal Bank of Scotland and (b) NatWest on their programmes for nationwide branch closures; and how many times such discussions took place.
Answered by Simon Kirby
Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel