Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) establishing a watchdog to regulate the cost of charging electric vehicles and (b) encouraging electric vehicle use.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles, as this will drive economic growth, help the UK meet its climate change obligations and improve air quality.
To support that transition, the Department for Transport continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive. Transport is a devolved matter, so this would be the decision of the Executive.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a breakdown of funding for passengers with reduced mobility services at United Kingdom airports provided by her Department.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Under the UK law, the managing body of the airport is responsible for ensuring the provision of free assistance, for disabled or less mobile passengers. The UK aviation sector operates in a private market, therefore the sector is responsible for funding the provision of assistance.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the cross-Government Taskforce on motor insurance will include representation from Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We recognise that the concerns the Taskforce will work on are shared across the UK. Therefore, we have proposed a meeting of the Taskforce that includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss any key differences in markets across the UK and how these affect the cost of insurance for consumers.
This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October.
The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant Government Departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.
This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies and communities.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ministers are giving consideration to this matter. An update will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Civil Aviation Authority's Airport Accessibility Performance Framework on the quality of assistance at airports; what steps she is taking to monitor that quality; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of such monitoring; and what (a) enforcement and (b) accountability measures are in place.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assesses airports on a yearly basis to ensure airports are meeting their legal obligations, and provides a rating on the airports performance against its Airport Accessibility Performance Framework. It is for the the CAA as the independent regulator to develop the tools it needs to assess performance and take enforcement action as needed. The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and it will continue to work with the CAA, industry and stakeholders to ensure that everyone can fly with dignity and ease.
Asked by: Robin Swann (Ulster Unionist Party - South Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Civil Aviation Authority have made on the Performance Framework for Airline Accessibility; and whether she plans to introduce enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the proposed regulations.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its new Airline Accessibility Performance Framework Guidance on 7 August 2024. It sets out requirements for airlines to meet existing legal obligations, and the criteria to be used by the CAA for airline accessibility assessments.
Everyone must be able to fly with dignity and ease. This Government is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and will consider the ways this can be best achieved.