Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to regulate the use of agricultural drones.
Answered by Jesse Norman
Regulating the operation of drones is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. Implementing Regulation 2019/947 sets out a risk-based regulatory framework, which lays down detailed provisions for the operation of unmanned aircraft.
The Future of Flight Industry Group has been established between Government, industry and the CAA in order to maximise the benefits of technologies such as drones whilst ensuring the safety of the UK aviation system.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the commercial interests of airports and travel hubs as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions; and whether they are considering cost-neutral measures such as duty free on arrival stores.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s aviation sector largely operates in a competitive private market. Government’s role is primarily to develop and implement the regulatory and policy frameworks that have helped to shape this world-leading sector. Last year we published Flightpath to the Future to set out how we will work with the sector to help it grow and return to pre-pandemic levels of demand and profitability.
The Government recognises how our extensive airport network can act as a catalyst for national and local benefits. In April, we introduced a 50% cut in domestic Air Passenger Duty (APD) to help bolster domestic connectivity, while further aligning APD with UK environmental objectives by adding a new ultra-long-haul distance band.
Although there are no plans to introduce a scheme for Duty-free on arrival stores, the Government does keep all taxes under review. On 1 January 2021, the Government did extend duty-free sales to EU-bound passengers for the first time in over 20 years. This is a significant boost to all airports and international rail terminals in England, Scotland and Wales, including smaller regional airports and rail hubs, which have not been able to offer duty-free to the EU before.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to maximise the benefits of the CAP1616 process in delivering airspace modernisation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The airspace modernisation programme is a critical national infrastructure project that aims to deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys for the benefit of those who use and are affected by UK airspace. Modernisation is long overdue and is critical to ensure that UK airspace is fit for purpose in the future.
All proposals to alter flightpath arrangements must follow the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) airspace change process (CAP1616). The CAA has recently consulted on CAP1616 seeking views on various options designed to simplify its structure, make the process clearer and easier to understand, and ensure it can be proportionate and tailored to each airspace change proposal. The consultation ended on 19 March 2023 with the updates to CAP1616 expected to be in place by the end of this year.
The outputs of this consultation will allow the CAA to unlock the full benefits of the CAP1616 process and it will make a written statement on its website on this in due course.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will introduce an industry-funded price support mechanism to help secure private investment in UK sustainable aviation fuel plants; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is driving the demand for sustainable aviation fuel in the UK by mandating its use from 2025, with at least 10 per cent of jet fuel to be from sustainable sources by 2030 and is seeking to develop a SAF industry in the UK. The Government is supporting production plants with funding but recognises that there are barriers to investment.
In April, the Government published an independent evaluation by Phillip New on developing a UK sustainable aviation fuel industry. In response to the report’s recommendations, the Government has committed to work in partnership with industry on options to increase future revenue certainty of UK SAF plants and on actions for stabilising the UK feedstock market. If required, following that work, the Department for Transport will consult on policy options in the summer.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to help develop a UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is driving the demand for sustainable aviation fuel in the UK by mandating its use from 2025, with at least 10 per cent of jet fuel to be from sustainable sources by 2030 and is seeking to develop a SAF industry in the UK. The Government is supporting production plants with funding but recognises that there are barriers to investment.
In April, the Government published an independent evaluation by Phillip New on developing a UK sustainable aviation fuel industry. In response to the report’s recommendations, the Government has committed to work in partnership with industry on options to increase future revenue certainty of UK SAF plants and on actions for stabilising the UK feedstock market. If required, following that work, the Department for Transport will consult on policy options in the summer.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of restrictions on night flights on the competitiveness of the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the benefits that night flights bring to the economy, through connectivity and the movement of time-critical freight. We also recognise that aviation night noise can disturb people’s sleep - with the potential for health impacts.
To strike a balance between the benefits and detriments, the Government sets restrictions on night flights at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports, and local planning authorities set restrictions at other airports.
For the airports where restrictions are set by Government, the Government regularly consults on appropriate restrictions to find this balance. The most recent related consultation closed in early May, and we will consult on future proposals towards the end of this year. The Government is aware that the aviation industry has in the past sponsored research to assess the economic impact of night flying in the UK. Through these consultations, it is incumbent on the aviation industry to continue to develop the evidence base and demonstrate the value that night operations bring to the UK economy.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of restrictions on night flights on the efficiency of air freight (1) into, (2) out of, and (3) within, the UK.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the benefits that night flights bring to the economy, through connectivity and the movement of time-critical freight. We also recognise that aviation night noise can disturb people’s sleep - with the potential for health impacts.
To strike a balance between the benefits and detriments, the Government sets restrictions on night flights at Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted airports, and local planning authorities set restrictions at other airports.
For the airports where restrictions are set by Government, the Government regularly consults on appropriate restrictions to find this balance. The most recent related consultation closed in early May, and we will consult on future proposals towards the end of this year. The Government is aware that the aviation industry has in the past sponsored research to assess the economic impact of night flying in the UK. Through these consultations, it is incumbent on the aviation industry to continue to develop the evidence base and demonstrate the value that night operations bring to the UK economy.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on the delivery of a National Freight Network; when they will publish their response to the Union Connectivity Review; and what consequence their response will have for the National Freight Network.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In “Future of freight: a long-term plan” published in June 2022, the Government announced that, with the Freight Council, it would undertake the work necessary to identify a National Freight Network by developing a fuller understanding of the domestic freight network across road, rail, maritime, aviation, inland waterway and warehouse and distribution infrastructure. This work is underway and will be the subject of engagement with stakeholders in due course.
Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s independent Union Connectivity Review, published in November 2021, considered transport connectivity across the UK. Considering the scale and breadth of the review, we are taking the time necessary to consider Lord Hendy’s recommendations and engage with the devolved administrations. We will publish our response as soon as is practicable. The development of the National Freight Network project takes account of Lord Hendy’s recommendations and will align with the Government’s upcoming response.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 29 March 2022 (HL6989), whether FlyPop was granted a licence by the Civil Aviation Authority; and if not, what time limits have been set for businesses to become operational before monies obtained through the Future Fund are required to be repaid.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Licensing is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.
The repayment of monies obtained through the Future Fund is not driven by businesses becoming operational. The Future Fund is invested through a standardised 3-year term Convertible Loan Agreement (‘CLA’); the CLA either converts to equity or is repaid in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The full scheme eligibility criteria and rules can be viewed on the British Business Bank’s website.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of using Beyond Visual Line of Sight uncrewed aircraft to provide supplies to rural and isolated communities.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is committed to delivering the economic and social benefits of drone use to communities across the UK. This includes working across Government, industry and the regulator – the Civil Aviation Authority – to create the right conditions for BVLOS operations to proceed routinely and effectively without compromising the safety of our airspace. The newly established Future of Flight Industry Group includes representatives from commercial drone operators and local authorities to ensure that this work is taken forward alongside industry and local communities.