Tag: Daniel Zeichner

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 steps he is taking to ensure vehicle technicians hold the necessary skills to work with electric vehicle technology.

Mr John Hayes

The government recognises the need to develop servicing skills to support the UK’s transition to ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

The Institute for the Motor Industry estimates there are currently around 1,000 vehicle technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles, with another 1,000 in training and due to be qualified by 2018. The 2020 Vision for English Apprenticeships supports an industry-led approach to skills training that puts employers in the driving seat of new apprenticeship standards.

The establishment of the employer-led Institute for Apprenticeships and the introduction of an employer levy fund provides an opportunity for the ULEV sector to lead the development of training programmes to meet the skills needs they have identified.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, if he will make it his policy that access to EU science and research funding programmes is maintained as part of the UK’s negotiations on leaving the EU.

Mr Robin Walker

The Government recognises the importance of our research base, which is why we have protected the science budget in real terms from its current level of £4.7 bn for the rest of the parliament. The referendum result has no immediate effect on the right of researchers to apply to or participate in EU research programmes and the future of UK access to these programmes is an important issue which we will address during our negotiation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department’s bus statistics table BUS0208, what the supported bus service mileage has been by local authority in each year since 2010.

Andrew Jones

The data in table BUS0208 on vehicle miles on local bus services by local authority and service type, including local authority supported mileage, is available for the years 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16.

Table BUS0208 for 2013/14 is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/379004/annual-bus-statistics-year-to-march-2014.zip

Table BUS0208 for 2014/15 is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/485295/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2015.zip

Table BUS0208 for 2015/16 is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/560582/bus0208.ods

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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.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will expand the Cycle to Work salary-sacrifice scheme to provide employees with access to tax-free physical activity accessories and personalised activity plans for themselves and their families.

Mr Robert Goodwill

The Finance Act 1999 and the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 introduced an annual tax exemption, which allows employers to loan cycles and cyclists’ safety equipment to employees as a tax-free benefit. The Cycle to Work scheme is not run by Government but was created by the cycle industry to take advantage of the tax exemption. The Department, in co-operation with the then Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the cycle industry, published guidance in June 2005. As there are qualifying criteria in order to be eligible for the tax exemption, any changes to the scheme should be referred to HM Revenue and Customs.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he provides to local authorities on the enforcement of the prohibition on private hire vehicles plying for hire; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones

The Department for Transport’s Best Practice Guidance for taxi and private hire licensing advises local authorities that the safety of the public depends on authorities having effective enforcement mechanisms in place.

The Guidance adds that it is desirable to ensure that taxi and PHV enforcement is at least partially directed to the late night period when problems such as touting and illegal plying for hire are most prevalent.

It is for local licensing authorities to determine how they allocate resources for enforcement, which will vary according to local circumstances. Licensing authorities are also advised to liaise closely with the police when undertaking enforcement activity.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Daniel Zeichner on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many local authorities permit taxi drivers to charge for carriage of a wheelchair; and how many local authorities specify in their licensing rules that such charges may not be levied.

Andrew Jones

The Department for Transport does not hold information regarding individual licensing authorities’ taxi tariffs or licensing rules.