The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the amount of the revenue element of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in (1) 2014–15, and (2) 2015–16.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
In 2014-15, £64.9m revenue funding was provided through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. A further £64.5m was provided in 2015-16.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-01-14.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what advice and guidance has been provided by Public Health England in relation to the commissioning and performance management of prison healthcare service for prisoners diagnosed with Hepatitis C or identified as being at risk of developing Hepatitis C.
Lord Prior of Brampton
Public Health England (PHE), NHS England and the National Offender Manager Service (NOMS) have worked together to improve the diagnosis of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) (including Hepatitis C) among people in prison and to provide access to treatment and care for those infected through collaborative implementation of the BBV opt-out testing programme, published in the National Partnership Agreement in 2015. A copy of the Agreement is attached.
PHE has published detailed expert advice to commissioners and prison healthcare services on all aspects of implementation of BBV opt-out testing, including testing and treatment algorithms. Further, PHE has supported dissemination of guidance through a programme of training and engagement events in partnership with the voluntary sector. PHE has co-developed with NHS England and NOMS a set of performance metrics called the Health & Justice Indicators of Performance (HJIPs) to provide data on the number of people tested, the number requiring treatment and those referred for treatment which supports commissioners in performance management of prison healthcare services.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will outline the decision-making process following their expected announcement on airport expansion in the South East, and at what stage in that process there will be a vote in Parliament.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
On 14 December 2015, the Government formally announced that it accepted the Airports Commission’s case for new runway capacity in the South East, as well as the Commission’s three shortlisted schemes. At the same time, it was also announced that the Department for Transport would undertake a package of further work which it anticipates will conclude over the summer. Alongside this, they would prepare an airports national policy statement as the framework for implementing decisions on airport capacity in line with the Planning Act 2008. National policy statements are designated in Parliament, at which point there can be a vote.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to ensure that the UK delivers on the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, to which it committed at the 69th World Health Assembly on 28 May.
Baroness Verma
The UK is supporting efforts to tackle viral hepatitis through a number of different channels. We support hygiene promotion and improving access to clean and safe water, to reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis A and E. We are the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which increases access to immunisation in low income countries – including protection against hepatitis B. We support UNITAID, which is working to improve access to better diagnostics for hepatitis C, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), which is working to reduce prices and increase access to new treatments. In addition DFID supports comprehensive harm reduction programmes and strategies through its support to the Global Fund, which help reduce transmission of both HIV and Hepatitis C.
DFID’s health focus is to improve the provision of basic health services for the poorest by strengthening health systems, improving health worker capacity and increasing access to essential medicines and equipment. Increasing coverage, access and quality will strengthen health services to address all health problems including viral hepatitis.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had, or agreements they have made, with Amazon and other retailers about the use of drones for deliveries.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Civil Aviation Authority have assessed an operational safety case submitted by Amazon and granted permission for the current trials to be undertaken. Discussions have taken place between Government and Amazon around their current trials and future plans for the UK. A non-disclosure agreement has been put in place with Amazon that sets out how confidential information relating to their UK drone delivery trials should be handled. No discussions have been had or agreements put in place with any other retailers about the use of drones for deliveries.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2015-11-30.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the expected amount of the revenue element of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in (1) 2016–17, (2) 2017–18, and (3) 2018–19.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The recent Spending Round settlement included a new ‘Access’ fund for sustainable travel, building on the legacy of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and supporting growth in cycling and walking.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-02-01.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much has been spent on maintenance of (1) the Clifton Suspension Bridge, (2) the Tyne Bridge, and (3) the Severn Bridge, in the last five years.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is important to note that the bridges mentioned in the question are not maintained by the Department for Transport. Clifton Suspension Bridge is run by Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, the Tyne Bridge is run by Newcastle City Council and the Severn Bridge is run on a concession by River Crossing PLC.
However, I have been informed that the Tyne Bridge spent £58.016 million and the Severn Crossing spent £64.31 million on maintenance in the last 5 financial years. The department has not been given details for Clifton at this current time.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-04-25.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to consult on a replacement regime once the current night-flight regime comes to an end in October 2017, and when that consultation is expected to take place.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government intends to consult on a new night flights regime later this year.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-06-28.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was NHS England’s expenditure in 2015–16 on (1) cancer, (2) HIV, (3) cystic fibrosis, (4) multiple sclerosis, and (5) hepatitis C, and what is the UK planned expenditure in 2016–17 on each.
Lord Prior of Brampton
Planned spend figures for specialised commissioning by NHS England at programme of care level are not generally available. However, the hepatitis C budget for 2016/17 has been published and is £191 million.
Actual spend levels by NHS England are analysed to provide a breakdown for the previous year. An exercise to establish these figures is due to begin shortly.
Services for Multiple Sclerosis are commissioned mainly by clinical commissioning groups and spend data is not collected centrally.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Randerson on 2016-10-03.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of objections to the creation of lorry area in Kent to address problems caused by Operation Stack.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Highways England (HE) held a public consultation on their proposals for a lorry area between 11 December 2015 and 26 January 2016. The information gathered was analysed and published in:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/535213/Public_Consultation_Report_Managing_Freight_Through_Kent_March_2016.pdf and is attached for ease of reference.
Highways England held a second public consultation between 12 August and 23 September 2016 on the design of the lorry area. They are currently analysing all comments Highways England received and will publish a consultation report in due course.
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