Tag: Daniel Zeichner

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-03-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2016 to Question 28183, using what evidence base his departmental economists (a) normally assume operators pass subsidy received on to passengers at a rate of 50 per cent through lower fares and at a rate of 50 per cent through increased service levels and (b) estimate that the Bus Service Operators’ Grant has the effect of keeping fares 3 per cent lower in England outside London.

Andrew Jones

The department assumed that the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) was passed on to passengers 50% through lower fares and 50% through increased service levels as a working assumption made in the absence of better relevant evidence. The estimate of the effect of keeping fares lower as a result of BSOG was derived by using the National Bus Model, which combined assumptions based on the evidence available with actual data on passenger numbers, fares and service levels.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy consultation document does not contain measureable targets for walking.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The draft Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy contains two objectives for walking.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-05-03.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will commission an independent review into the sentencing regime for imprisonment for public protection which will involve those criminal justice agencies that manage the sentence and incorporate the experiences of prisoners and their families.

Andrew Selous

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders 2012, abolished the sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) and introduced a new sentencing scheme for dangerous offenders.

In respect of IPP sentences already imposed, the government considered that it would not be right or appropriate retrospectively to alter sentences that had been lawfully imposed, particularly because in this case those sentences were imposed with public protection issues in mind.

Significant numbers of IPP prisoners continue to be released where the Parole Board is satisfied that they can be safely managed in the community, but other prisoners currently remain too high risk to be released. It is a priority for us to help remaining IPP prisoners progress towards release, by ensuring that their parole reviews take place on time, through greater efficiency in the parole process, and by giving their opportunity to complete relevant interventions and work in order to demonstrate reduced risk to the Parole Board.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-05-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 26 November 2015 to Question 16942, for what reason his Department does not publish statistics on the number of buses in England that are fitted with audio-visual systems; and whether the Buses Bill will make provision to do so.

Andrew Jones

The Department’s annual survey of local bus operators was amended in 2013/14 to include a question on the number of buses providing audio/visual information.

In line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, statistics should be produced to a level of quality that meets users’ need. To date, the statistics relating to this question have not been published by the Department because of concerns about the robustness of the data.

The Department, as part of it’s statistical quality management process, will take steps to improve the quality of the audio/visual data. Once these quality concerns are met so that what is produced does not risk misleading users, the Department will look to publish the information, in line with the majority of data collected through the local bus survey.

The Government, therefore, does not consider it necessary to legislate on this issue through the Bus Services Bill.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-06-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2016 to Question 39847, what assessment he has made of the effect of the cycling and walking investment strategy on his Department’s estimates of future trips by mode.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy contains a target to double cycling by 2025 and an objective to increase walking activity. We are currently consulting on a programme of activity to work towards these increases.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-07-21.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with (a) ARM, (b) SoftBank and (c) representatives of those companies on SoftBank’s takeover of ARM prior to that takeover being announced to the public.

Mr David Gauke

In line with the practice of successive administrations details of ministerial discussions are not routinely disclosed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on the (a) automotive sector and (b) low emission vehicles market.

Mr John Hayes

The Government remains committed to almost every car and van in the UK being a zero emission vehicle by 2050. The Government is committed to making a success of the negotiations to leave the EU and will work hard to get the best deal for Britain. In the meantime, Departments will continue working to deliver the Government agenda.

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

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Department’s press release of 13 August 2016, Chancellor Philip Hammond guarantees EU funding beyond date UK leaves the EU, how the future allocation of European Regional Development Fund funding will be assessed.

Mr David Gauke

The European Regional Development Fund is one of a number of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs). The relevant information on ESIFs can be found in my letter of 12 August to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. This letter is attached and can be found on the Gov.uk website, alongside the Treasury press notice.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2016-10-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2016 to Question 44873, how many civil servants are currently analysing the responses to the draft cycling and walking strategy.

Andrew Jones

This Government wants to create an environment which encourages walking and cycling, where cycling and walking is the norm for short journeys or as part of a longer journey. Our goal is of streets and public places which support walking and cycling and a road network where infrastructure for cycling and walking is always improved when local and national routes are maintained, upgraded or built.

Moving forwards the Department is working on a revision of the draft Strategy based on the feedback received during the consultation period. A number of officials are involved with the Strategy, with one specifically concerned with the consultation analysis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-10-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department’s plans are for long-term local sustainable transport funding.

Andrew Jones

All future budgets, including those for sustainable transport, remain subject to Spending Review negotiations. Further information will be made available after the outcome of the Spending Review is announced on 25 November.