Asked by: Mike Reader (Labour - Northampton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for determining whether to bring forward legislative proposals to make e-scooter rental trials permanent.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for the e-scooter trials and what legislative changes may be required in future.
Asked by: Mike Reader (Labour - Northampton South)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will include measures to strengthen the enablers of growth in the logistics sector and the infrastructure it uses in the forthcoming industrial strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Our Strategy is unreservedly pro-business, engaging on complex issues that are barriers to investment, like skills, recruitment of international talent, data, R&D, technology adoption, access to finance, competition, regulation, energy prices, grid connections, infrastructure, and planning – all through the lens of promoting investment.
Our Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors – those in which the UK excels today and will excel tomorrow, and which present the greatest opportunity for output and productivity growth over the long-term.
We will also look across the growth-driving sectors, progressing value chain analysis to identify ‘foundational’ sectors which are critical to a growth-driving sector’s value chain.
Asked by: Mike Reader (Labour - Northampton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require that e-scooter (a) trials and (b) permanent schemes are run in away that (i) protects pedestrians from people riding on pavements and (ii) ensures safety guidelines are adhered to.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for the e-scooter trials and wider micromobility rental and what legislative changes may be required in future.
However, road safety is a top priority for this Government and any regulations will consider how to protect vulnerable road users and pedestrians, including the enforcement of any safety guidelines.
Asked by: Mike Reader (Labour - Northampton South)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning smartphones (a) in classrooms, (b) within school grounds and (c) in the proximity of schools.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department knows that using mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and classroom disruption, which can lead to lost learning time, while research also suggests that excessive screentime can have a negative impact on children’s wellbeing.
Schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that sets out what is expected of all pupils, including what items are banned from school premises. In February 2024, the department published non-statutory guidance for schools on how to develop, implement and maintain a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. As has been the longstanding policy of successive governments, headteachers remain responsible for deciding how they choose to implement this policy, including choosing to prohibit children from bringing mobile phones on site entirely.
Asked by: Mike Reader (Labour - Northampton South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the re-opening of the Northampton to Market Harborough railway line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government believes that local transport authorities and local leaders are best placed to prioritise and take forward transport projects which are most appropriate for the areas they serve, particularly where they will support economic growth, job creation, more and better housing, and, ultimately, demonstrate a good business case. I would encourage him to continue to engage with local stakeholders further on this.