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Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will uprate the income threshold for carer’s allowance in line with the forthcoming increase in the minimum wage.

Justin Tomlinson

The earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance which is not linked to the number of hours worked is currently £110 per week (net of certain expenses). It was increased to £110 in April 2015 – an increase of nearly 8%, which far outstripped the growth in earnings.

The Government keeps the earnings limit under review and keeps under consideration whether an increase in the threshold is warranted and affordable.

01/01/2023
Thangam Debbonaire – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Thangam Debbonaire on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect of the residence test for disability living allowance and personal independence payment on people who have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection.

Justin Tomlinson

People arriving in Great Britain – whether for the first time or if they are returning former GB residents – must meet the test of being habitually resident in order to receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. They must also have been present in Great Britain for 104 weeks out of the previous 156 weeks. These benefits are non–contributory, non means–tested and paid out of general taxation and, in the absence of a means test or National Insurance contributions condition, DWP uses the past presence test to demonstrate a sufficient connection to the UK social security system. There are no special arrangements for people granted refugee status or humanitarian protection, however those people who are granted refugee status are likely to be considered habitually resident for the purposes of making a claim and they would also then meet the past presence test once they have been resident in the UK for the requisite period of time. In addition, these claimants may be entitled to other, means tested benefits.

01/01/2023
Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received from (a) consumer groups and (b) railway franchise holders on the level of staffing at small railway stations; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry

Whilst we regulate Ticket Office opening times through the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, station staffing levels are primarily a matter for operators as we believe that they themselves are best placed to determine how to meet the needs of their passengers.

Since February 2015, 3 ticket offices have reduced their opening hours after train companies followed the procedure as set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, which includes making representation to the Department.

Passenger Focus (as was) and London TravelWatch provided responses to the East Anglia franchise public consultation with regard to staffing.

More recently, both Transport Focus and London TravelWatch have made representations to the Department with regard to the South Western franchise consultation and staffing.

Representatives from Govia Thameslink Railway have also briefed officials at the Department on their plans to carry out a consultation on proposals to change ticket office opening hours at some stations.

01/01/2023
Cat Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Cat Smith on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations his Department has received on the incidence of refusals by taxi drivers to carry assistance dogs; and if he will introduce compulsory disability awareness training for drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles.

Andrew Jones

I am aware of the ongoing problems passengers accompanied by assistance dogs encounter when using taxis and private hire vehicles.

The Department has issued comprehensive guidance to both licensing authorities and the licensed industry in respect of the relevant duties in the Equality Act 2010. Any allegations of breaches of the Act must be reported to the local licensing authority to enable them to take appropriate action.

Although there is no legal requirement for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake disability awareness training, the Department’s Best Practice Guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing recommends that local licensing authorities to work with the industry in their area to improve drivers’ awareness of the needs of disabled people. This includes encouraging their drivers to undertake disability awareness training.

01/01/2023
Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on its consultation on air display and low-flying permission charges.

Mr Robert Goodwill

I have had no discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on its consultation on air display and low-flying permission charges.

01/01/2023
Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of free-flow technology on the Severn Bridge.

Andrew Jones

The Government is considering the future of tolling arrangements at the Severn Crossing once the concession ends. I expect to consider the merits of free-flow technology in this context, although no options have yet been developed. To help understand whether this may be worth pursuing, my Department is attempting to estimate the potential traffic benefit of removing the barriers, though this work is not yet complete.

01/01/2023
Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received regarding the Civil Aviation Authority’s consultation on air display and low-flying permission charges; what (a) estimate of the cost and (b) assessment of the timeframe of implementing those proposals he has made; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Twelve Honourable Members have sent me thirteen letters from constituents about the Civil Aviation Authority’s consultation on air display and low-flying permission charges, which itself received 534 responses. Two individuals have written directly to me. A related parliamentary petition 120628 has received over 14,400 signatures. The Civil Aviation Authority consulted the Secretary of State on 8 March about this scheme of charges. I intend to respond shortly.

01/01/2023
Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when electrification of the Great Western Mainline as far as Cardiff Central is expected to be completed.

Claire Perry

Sir Peter Hendy’s report published on 25 November 2015 stated that the electrification of the Great Western Mainline to Cardiff is planned to be completed by the end of Control Period 5, before March 2019.

01/01/2023

Stephen Doughty – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Doughty on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what revenue has been generated by the HGV levy for foreign operators in each of the last 24 months.

Andrew Jones

HGV levy revenue from foreign-registered vehicles is shown in the table. This gives figures from April 2014, when the levy started, up to the most recent available month. This shows that since April 2014 £91.2 million has been raised from foreign-registered vehicles. Note that the figures for April 2014 and March 2015 are high because they include a relatively high number of annual levy purchases.

Year/ Month	Revenue
2014 April	£7,178,086
May	£3,314,580
June	£3,253,123
July	£3,387,029
August	£2,974,123
September	£3,327,219
October	£3,591,528
November	£3,553,346
December	£3,030,512
2015 January	£3,945,650
February	£3,644,256
March	£5,335,114
April	£4,432,556
May	£3,838,753
June	£4,111,036
July	£4,290,470
August	£3,459,024
September	£3,969,077
October	£4,224,229
November	£4,250,758
December	£3,385,109
2016 January	£4,279,644
February	£4,377,591

01/01/2023

Tim Farron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the A591 in Cumbria to be fully accessible.

Andrew Jones

Highways England is leading on the full and permanent reinstatement of the A591 and has committed to have the road fully reopened to the public by the end of May 2016.

01/01/2023