Tag: Daniel Zeichner

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2016 to Question 23856, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of pedal cyclist-killed or seriously injured casualties attributable to poorly-maintained local roads since 2010.

Andrew Jones

The Department assesses all statistics which relate to pedal cyclist KSIs (killed or seriously injured casualties). The Conservative Manifesto 2015 had a commitment to reduce the number of cyclists and other road users killed or injured on our roads every year. We are working closely with road safety groups to consider what more can be done in the UK and we believe that every death is a tragedy and is one too many.

We have committed £6.1 billion to tackle the condition of our local road network and, as part of our Road Investment Strategy – the largest upgrade to England’s strategic roads for a generation – we are spending around £100million on cycling safety. We are also working with local councils to provide new guidelines designed to ensure their highways are as safe as possible and free of defects.

The change in the number of accidents is likely to result from a combination of a number of factors. These factors will include the natural variation in the figures and the subjective nature of contributory factors.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many disabled people have had their Mobility Scheme vehicle taken away as a result of personal independence payment replacing disability living allowance.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department does not hold this information. Motability is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the administration of the Motability scheme, including collating its own management information and client statistics. Whilst the Department meets regularly with Motability to discuss scheme performance, questions relating to the details of the scheme’s operation should be directed to Motability itself.

We recognise that the transition from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can be challenging for individuals, which is why the Department worked closely with Motability as we developed our plans for the introduction of PIP. The Motability charity provides a one-off package of transitional support and advice to support customers who no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Motability scheme. For most of these customers who entered into their first lease agreement with Motability before January 2013, Motability will provide transitional support of £2,000. This will enable many former Scheme customers to continue to meet their mobility needs by purchasing a used car.

For customers who entered into their first lease agreement with the scheme after January 2013 and up to December 2013, Motability will supply transitional support of £1,000 to assist with mobility costs. Motability is also providing help with the cost of adaptations made to non-scheme vehicles and information on non-scheme motoring and insurance. The Scheme also offers customers an opportunity to purchase their vehicle after the end of the lease.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-02-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 February 2016 to Question 25199, what steps his Department is taking to consult on proposed legislative changes on HGV sideguards; and what the timeframe is for that consultation.

Andrew Jones

The Department is currently preparing the regulatory impact assessment in preparation for the consultation on amendments to the Construction and Use Regulations in the second half of 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2016 to Question 30285, whether the working assumption that benefits from the Bus Service Operators Grant are passed on to passengers 50 per cent through lower fares and 50 per cent through increased service levels was informed by discussions with bus operators.

Andrew Jones

The working assumption that the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) is passed on to passengers 50% through lower fares and 50% through increased service levels was presented to and informally sense checked with industry members attending BSOG related working groups held by the Department over 2014 and early 2015.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-04-18.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of representations from the science community to his Department’s plans to insert a new clause into all new and renewed grant agreements.

Matthew Hancock

As I made clear in the House on 27 April, we are continuing to consider the comments of all interested parties, ahead of the introduction into grant agreements of the clause aimed at protecting taxpayers’ money from being wasted on government lobbying government. We are pausing the implementation, pending a review of the representations made, and to give further time to consider any necessary adjustments to the wording of the clause, or the policy on its implementation, to help to deliver this policy in the best possible way for all involved.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-05-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make plans to use the statutory powers granted to him by section 128 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to reform the Parole Board release test.

Dominic Raab

IPP prisoners are released where the Parole Board is satisfied that they can be safely managed in the community.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-05-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department’s press release, Rip-off pedicabs to be driven off the road under new proposals, published 26 May 2016, whether he plans to (a) amend secondary legislation or (b) bring forward legislative proposals to regulate pedicabs in London.

Mr Robert Goodwill

Primary legislation will be needed to enable the Mayor to introduce a licensing regime for pedicabs. The Government is looking at how to bring the legislation forward in the next year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department’s Local Transport Note No. 2/95, published in April 1995, if he will amend that note to assume a lower walking speed for pedestrian crossing timings.

Andrew Jones

Local Transport Note 2/95 provides advice to local authorities on calculating timings for crossings.

The design walking speed of 1.2m/s used in the guidance covers 85% of the population. It is generally felt that this allows enough time for pedestrians to cross, and is long enough to accommodate people that walk more slowly. Where a crossing might be used by a large number of older people or those with mobility issues, for example outside residential care homes, we recommend that this should be taken into account when setting timings. The guidance for crossings is not statutory and local authorities can choose to use a slower walking speed if they deem it suitable.

The Department is considering how best to update guidance, including that on pedestrian crossings, in light of the revision to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 which came into force on 22 April.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 29 February 2016 to Question 27306, if his Department will undertake analysis to understand the potential benefits for bus passengers of the municipal bus company model.

Andrew Jones

There are only 8 existing municipal bus companies operating services in England and the Department does not currently have any plans to undertake analysis on the potential benefits of the municipal bus company model.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-09-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the effect that the changes to plug-in grants from March 2016 have had on the take-up of electric vehicles.

Mr John Hayes

Many consumers brought forward their orders of new plug-in vehicles to before March to take advantage of the higher grant rates. The effect of this sales spike is still being felt with some vehicles ordered in February still to be delivered. This impact of the grant change will become clearer after the new registration plate in September. Registrations of ULEVs have continued to grow since the grant change.