The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish his Department’s senior officials’ business expenses and hospitality data for 2015.
Mr Robert Goodwill
We plan to publish the department’s senior officials’ business expenses for the calendar year 2015 by the end of June 2016 and the senior officials’ hospitality data by the end of July 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Robert Flello on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on signing the Luxembourg rail protocol.
Claire Perry
The United Kingdom signed the Luxembourg Rail Protocol on the 26th February 2016.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lilian Greenwood on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much has been spent by (a) Highways England and (b) the Highways Agency per head of population in each region of England in each year since 2009-10.
Andrew Jones
Figures on Highways Agency spend in each region of England can be obtained from the HM Treasury Country and Regional Analysis (CRA).
Data from 2010/11 to 2014/15 are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/477115/CRA_2015_Combined_Database_for_Publication.xlsx
Figures for 2009/10 are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/382214/CRA_2014_Combined_Database_for_Publication.xlsx
The ONS publishes figures on regional population estimates.
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which motorways at which locations automatic number plate recognition cameras are in use; and what offences such cameras are being used to detect.
Andrew Jones
Highways England have installed and operate automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras across 500 sites covering the majority of the motorway and trunk road network. These are used for data gathering and provision of information, such as journey times and are not used for enforcement purposes.
In addition, there are a small number of ANPR cameras at the Dartford Crossing to support Dartford free flow charging and 22 sites at various locations operated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to detect offences, including unlicensed operators, untested vehicles and at some locations overloaded vehicles.
A private sector company, Trafficmaster, operates their own ANPR cameras to capture traffic flow information to provide traffic services for travellers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to further restrict the use of drones to ensure (a) the safety of aircraft and (b) privacy of members of the public.
Mr Robert Goodwill
There are existing regulations in place that require users of drones to maintain direct, unaided visual contact with their vehicle and to not recklessly or negligently cause or permit their craft to endanger any person or property. There are also tough existing penalties, including up to five years imprisonment for endangering an aircraft. Guidance on tackling the risks of criminal drone use has been provided to constabularies across the UK. The Secretary of State has written to the Police to request their assistance in raising awareness of drone risks and restrictions.
The Department continues to work with the CAA and industry partners to assess the safety risk of drones. It is also currently working with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop consistent, EU-wide safety rules for drones. A public consultation is planned for the summer. This will look at a range of options including registration and licensing options, and the potential for restrictions on purchase and use.
Operators of drones that might collect personal data must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) unless a relevant exemption applies. The requirements of the DPA are regulated by the independent Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and their website provides clear guidance to operators.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Greg Knight on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he was consulted before the imposition of a 40 mph speed limit on the A15 north Caenby Corner; what guidance is provided to highway authorities on imposing and varying speed limits; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
Setting local speed limits is a matter for the local highway authority, as they are best placed to determine the speed limits for their areas, based on local knowledge and the views of the community. The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued guidance to help them determine the most appropriate speed limit in ‘Speed Limit Circular 01/2013 – Setting Local Speed Limits’.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of introducing an adoption allowance for self-employed adopters.
Priti Patel
The Government is looking at what more could be done to support the self-employed, but do not have plans to introduce an adoption allowance for self-employed adopters.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department offers to grandparents that care for grandchildren.
Justin Tomlinson
From 6 April 2011 a weekly Class 3 National Insurance credit is available to grandparents and other adult family members under State Pension age that look after children aged under 12 to enable the children’s parents to work. The credits can help protect the grandparent’s National Insurance record and will count towards entitlement to the new State Pension and (before 6 April 2017), Bereavement Benefits.
Since its introduction in 2011, over 4,000 people have been approved.
In addition, support is available through income-related benefits to grandparents of working age who have responsibility for their grandchildren or act in the place of the child’s parents. The Government announced its intention to exempt grandparents, and other family members or close friends, looking after children, who could otherwise be at risk of entering the care system, from the restriction which limits the child element of Universal Credit to a maximum of two children. The Government is committed to working with stakeholders to develop a solution that meets the needs of the children in respect of whom this exemption is intended to apply, whilst guarding against the risk of fraud and error
Universal Credit recipients who are grandparents can have childcare costs reimbursed. Where a firm job offer has been accepted childcare costs can be claimed for at least one month before they start work and after the employment ends. The childcare costs element is intended to protect work incentives and ensures that support is focused on low-earning families.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Rachel Reeves on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of extending statutory (a) maternity pay, (b) paternity pay and (c) sick pay to self-employed people.
Priti Patel
The Government is looking at what more could be done to support the self-employed, but do not have plans to extend Statutory Payments to self-employed people. Statutory payments are paid by employers to qualifying employees.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Austin on 2016-04-26.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps to protect the pensions of grandparents that care for grandchildren.
Justin Tomlinson
From 6 April 2011 a weekly Class 3 National Insurance credit is available to grandparents and other adult family members under State Pension age that look after children aged under 12 to enable the children’s parents to work. The credits can help protect the grandparent’s National Insurance record and will count towards entitlement to the new State Pension and (before 6 April 2017), Bereavement Benefits.
Since its introduction in 2011, over 4,000 people have been approved.
In addition, support is available through income-related benefits to grandparents of working age who have responsibility for their grandchildren or act in the place of the child’s parents. The Government announced its intention to exempt grandparents, and other family members or close friends, looking after children, who could otherwise be at risk of entering the care system, from the restriction which limits the child element of Universal Credit to a maximum of two children. The Government is committed to working with stakeholders to develop a solution that meets the needs of the children in respect of whom this exemption is intended to apply, whilst guarding against the risk of fraud and error
Universal Credit recipients who are grandparents can have childcare costs reimbursed. Where a firm job offer has been accepted childcare costs can be claimed for at least one month before they start work and after the employment ends. The childcare costs element is intended to protect work incentives and ensures that support is focused on low-earning families.