Tag: Andy McDonald

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Attorney General, what recent steps the Government has taken to promote human rights in the UK and abroad.

Jeremy Wright

The Government has a strong record on human rights here and abroad. As examples, it brought forward the Modern Slavery Act seeking to protect some of the most vulnerable and exploited people in our society. It is one of the leading members of the UN Human Rights Council, tackling in particular sexual violence in conflict and we will support £10.6 million worth of human rights projects globally this financial year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Govia Thameslink Railway on the closure of Govia Thameslink Railway ticket offices; and what the dates of those discussions were.

Claire Perry

Officials regularly meet with Govia Thameslink Railway, and their Ticket Office proposals have been discussed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans to put in place for an operator of last report for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern passenger rail franchise since September 2013.

Paul Maynard

The Secretary of State has a duty under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993, to maintain the continuity of passenger rail services in the event that a passenger rail franchise terminates and is not immediately replaced. In order to ensure the effective discharge of this duty the Department maintains a standby capability which would enable it to step into a rail franchise and operate it in the public sector should the need arise. There are currently no plans in place to step into the Thameslink Southern and Great Northern franchise.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much revenue the Office for Road and Rail and its predecessor raised through the Railway Safety Levy in each financial year between 2006-07 and 2015-16.

Paul Maynard

The revenue raised between the years 2006-07 and 2015-16 through the Railway Safety Levy is set out below.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-04-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what powers Rail North has in relation to the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises.

Andrew Jones

Whilst the franchise agreements are between the franchisees and the Secretary of State who also retains statutory powers under the Railways Act 1993 in relation to the franchises, the management of the Franchise Agreements is undertaken by a devolved team based in Leeds which reports to a Joint Rail North/DfT Strategic Board.

In addition, Rail North Ltd has been ‎given certain specific powers, including the ability to vary the level of regulated fares for the Northern and TPE franchises, which would otherwise be determined by the Secretary of State as part of a national fares policy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with Govia Thameslink Railway on the closure of Govia Thameslink Railway ticket offices; and what the outcome of those discussions was.

Claire Perry

Officials regularly meet with Govia Thameslink Railway, and their Ticket Office proposals have been discussed. In relation to their Ticket Office proposals, as long as the operator is not breaching the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement with regard to opening hours, employee terms and conditions and the management of any changes in these are a matter for the relevant employer and their employee(s) and/or employee representatives.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the operator of last report provisions are for each franchise agreement for passenger rail services currently in operation.

Paul Maynard

There are a number of provisions throughout each franchise agreement that relate to the continuity and preservation of rail services by a Successor Operator which could include the Operator of Last Resort under the provisions of Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993. Schedules 1.6, 10, 14 and 15 of the National Rail Franchise Terms and Conditions are of particular relevance in this regard.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-04-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what legislation or regulations the establishment and functions of the Rail North and the Rail North Board are based.

Andrew Jones

The Association of Rail North Partner Authorities was established as a local government association under section 143 of the Local Government Act 1972 to discuss and consult as to their common interests on rail matters.

The powers to establish and join Rail North Ltd are in the case of combined authorities their well-being power under section 102A (linked to section 99) of the Local Transport Act 2008 and/or their functional power of competence under section 113A of the Local Democracy, Economic Development Act 2009 (inserted by section 13 of the Localism Act 2011). In the case of county councils and unitary authorities the relevant power is their general power of competence under section 1 of the Localism Act 2011.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes have recently been made to the franchise agreements and ancillary documents for Govia Thameslink Railway Ltd.

Claire Perry

The latest version of the Franchise Agreement, including all recent changes can be seen online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/525766/tsgn-franchise-agreement.pdf

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andy McDonald on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Network Rail on the rail electrification programme in the North West; and if he will publish a revised timetable for that work.

Paul Maynard

The Secretary of State regularly meets Network Rail to discuss a wide range of topics. Network Rail have recently published an update of the Enhancement Delivery Programme on 30 September 2016. The North of England Programme (which includes the electrification timetable) is on page 11 on the following link: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/Enhancements-Delivery-Plan-Sept-2016.pdf.

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