Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the regulatory requirements needed for the introduction of so-called "flying taxis".
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the independent body responsible for regulating aviation in the UK. The CAA established an Innovation Hub this year, which is engaging with innovative aviation companies, including those seeking to gain permission to operate Electric ‘Air taxis’ in the UK.
In August, the Prime Minister announced a £300 million joint investment, from the Government and industry, through the Future Flight Challenge, which will support the development of innovative aviation systems and the infrastructure and regulations needed to support them.
Asked by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to study published by the International Council on Clean Transportation in September 2019, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies conclusion that the UK is responsible for four per cent of global aviation CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by George Freeman
The 4% figure is based on data from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and allocates emissions to the UK based on all flights departing from the UK. However, there is no international agreement on how to allocate these highly mobile emissions to countries.
The UK’s share of international aviation emissions is expected to decrease in the future given the growth of the aviation sector in countries like Brazil, India, China and the USA. That is why the Government recognises that international action takes priority given the global nature of the sector and climate change. International aviation emissions are a global problem that require a global solution. It is vital that we find an answer that does not simply displace emissions elsewhere across the globe.
The Future Flight Challenge will bring together those across aviation, aerospace and wider to support exciting new technologies that will turbo-charge the adoption of innovative aircraft, such as flying urban taxis, electric passenger planes and even freight-carrying drones. As announced by the Prime Minister in August, the government is investing up to £125 million through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which will be supported by industry co-investment of up to £175 million. The Challenge will initially focus on smaller aircraft and drones to ensure the suitability of the new technologies before development them for larger passenger aircraft.
The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme supports mid stage R&D projects that deliver the UK’s Aerospace Technology Strategy, while boosting technology spend in the sector and securing manufacturing jobs around the UK. Funding is focused on key technologies to make aircraft quieter, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to manufacture and operate. BEIS is investing £1.95 billion in aerospace R&D from 2013 to 2026, which is matched by industry bringing total R&D investment to £3.9 billion.
In addition, the Committee on Climate Change provided the Government with aviation specific advice on 24 September 2019. We are carefully considering this advice and its implications for Government policy and we will shortly publish a consultation on aviation and climate change.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding was allocated to research into electric aviation in the last five years.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
There are various R&D funding programmes that can help support electric aviation, such as the Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge (£80 million), ATI Programme (government investment of £1.95 billion), Future Flight Challenge (£125 million) and Faraday Challenge (£274 million). These programmes also support a broad range of other electric or aerospace-related technologies.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials of his Department have had with representatives of the aerospace industry on the the potential benefits of the use of autonomous technology.
Answered by George Freeman
The Government is actively supporting the development of innovative technology in aviation including automation. We supported a Global Urban Air Summit held at Farnborough last week which brought together industry, academia and government to discuss the development of new technologies like electric and autonomous aircraft.
The Transport Secretary met a range of aviation stakeholders at the Light Aircraft Association Rally. In addition Ministers from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Challenge meet regularly with the Aerospace Industry through the Aerospace Growth Partnership.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much funding was allocated to research into electric aviation in the last five years.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jack Lopresti (Conservative - Filton and Bradley Stoke)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport,what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers of his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with representatives of the aviation industry on the potential for reductions in the level of (i) emissions and (ii) noise as a result of electric propulsion.
Answered by George Freeman
Ministers and officials across Government regularly meet with the aviation and aerospace sectors to discuss proposals for decarbonisation. The Government is considering further policies it can put in place to assist the long-term development of innovative technology such as electric propulsion.
In addition, the Government recently supported a Global Urban Air Summit held at Farnborough Airport, which brought together industry and academia to discuss the development of new technologies like electric and autonomous aircraft. The Transport Secretary also met a range of aviation stakeholders at the Light Aircraft Association Rally.
I am actively meeting industry leaders to explore new ways to promote transport innovation.
Asked by: Paul Farrelly (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of all domestic flights being made by electric aircraft by 2040.
Answered by Michael Ellis
Hybrid and fully-electric aircraft have the potential to transform aviation. Whilst no specific assessment of this nature has been made, the Government has committed £155m to support a new era of cleaner and greener aviation.
This includes £125m of Government funding for the Future Flight Industrial Strategy Challenge to support the next generation of electric planes and autonomous aircraft, alongside support for projects such as the joint Rolls Royce, Airbus and Siemens E-Fan X, a hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.
Our consultation on Aviation 2050, the Government’s long-term vision for aviation, sought views on how to address the environmental challenges and the role that new technology and innovation can play in sustainable growth for aviation. We will publish the White Paper later in 2019.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
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 the development of new air transport concepts.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
As set out in our Industrial Strategy Government backs aerospace through its Aerospace Growth Partnership, which tackles barriers to growth, boost exports and grows high value jobs in the UK. This includes committing £1.95 billion to aerospace R&D until 2026.
The UK is a global leader in aviation and aerospace innovation and, is already developing exciting new forms of transport. As announced at the Farnborough Airshow in July the Government is backing a £58m partnership between Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop a flight demonstrator for hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft.
On 6th December as part of a new Sector Deal for Aerospace, the Government launched the Future Flight Challenge, which will provide up to £125 million of additional funding, which industry will match to support the development of new aircraft technologies and transport concepts – including hybrid-electric, electric and autonomous aircraft - to transform the future of transport as we utilise our airspace to ease congestion.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and alongside the Department for Transport’s forthcoming Aviation Strategy, we are exploring how these new technologies will change the way we travel, helping create the right conditions for the success of the UK’s aerospace and aviation industries.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
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 the development of battery-electric aircraft.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
As set out in our Industrial Strategy Government backs aerospace through its Aerospace Growth Partnership, which tackles barriers to growth, boost exports and grows high value jobs in the UK. This includes committing £1.95 billion to aerospace R&D until 2026.
The UK is a global leader in aviation and aerospace innovation and, is already developing exciting new forms of transport. As announced at the Farnborough Airshow in July the Government is backing a £58m partnership between Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop a flight demonstrator for hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft.
On 6th December as part of a new Sector Deal for Aerospace, the Government launched the Future Flight Challenge, which will provide up to £125 million of additional funding, which industry will match to support the development of new aircraft technologies and transport concepts – including hybrid-electric, electric and autonomous aircraft - to transform the future of transport as we utilise our airspace to ease congestion.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and alongside the Department for Transport’s forthcoming Aviation Strategy, we are exploring how these new technologies will change the way we travel, helping create the right conditions for the success of the UK’s aerospace and aviation industries.
Asked by: Steve Double (Conservative - St Austell and Newquay)
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 the development of hybrid-electric aircraft.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
As set out in our Industrial Strategy Government backs aerospace through its Aerospace Growth Partnership, which tackles barriers to growth, boost exports and grows high value jobs in the UK. This includes committing £1.95 billion to aerospace R&D until 2026.
The UK is a global leader in aviation and aerospace innovation and, is already developing exciting new forms of transport. As announced at the Farnborough Airshow in July the Government is backing a £58m partnership between Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop a flight demonstrator for hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft.
On 6th December as part of a new Sector Deal for Aerospace, the Government launched the Future Flight Challenge, which will provide up to £125 million of additional funding, which industry will match to support the development of new aircraft technologies and transport concepts – including hybrid-electric, electric and autonomous aircraft - to transform the future of transport as we utilise our airspace to ease congestion.
Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and alongside the Department for Transport’s forthcoming Aviation Strategy, we are exploring how these new technologies will change the way we travel, helping create the right conditions for the success of the UK’s aerospace and aviation industries.