The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-19.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the utilisation rate was for Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16.
Mr Robert Goodwill
The averaged utilisation rate for marine surveyors for 2013-14 was 65%.
In December 2014 a new system was implemented within MCA and no figures are available yet through the replacement system.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-06-24.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on the sophistication of the plug-in grant to promote high safety rated electric and low emission vehicles.
Andrew Jones
To be eligible for the Plug-In Car and Van Grants, vehicles must meet a range of environmental, safety and performance criteria. These requirements include compliance with recognised international safety standards. Many electric vehicles tested under the Euro NCAP system have received the highest five-star safety rating.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-07-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July to Question 41425, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the UK aviation sector on the implications for (a) that sector and (b) the priorities for his Department’s aviation policies of the outcome of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.
Mr Robert Goodwill
Officials in my Department have regular discussions with representatives of the aviation sector on a range of issues.
The Government’s position on the outcome of the EU referendum is clear: the British people voted for the UK to leave the European Union on 23 June and their will must be respected and delivered.
And as My Right Honourable Friend the Prime Minister has said, it will be for the Government, under a new Prime Minister, to begin negotiations to exit the EU. Until exit negotiations are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. During this period the Government will continue to negotiate, implement and apply EU legislation.
There will be no immediate changes to our aviation priorities as a consequence of the vote, and the Government will continue working to deliver its agenda.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-09-02.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the causes of the increase in homelessness in 2015; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Marcus Jones
Homelessness is rarely a housing issue alone. The causes are varied and driven by issues such as health, education, justice, welfare, and employment.
That is why the work we have undertaken supports action across these. For example, we invested £5 million in the world’s first homelessness Social Impact Bond, run by the Greater London Authority to turn round the lives around of 830 of London’s most entrenched rough sleepers. Over half have achieved accommodation, employment or reconnection outcomes.
In addition we have invested £15 million to improve outcomes for young people through the Fair Chance Fund. This funding is turning around the lives of around 1,900 18 to 25 year olds with complex and overlapping needs, by supporting them into accommodation, education, training and employment.
Since 2010 we have invested over £500 million to enable local authorities and the voluntary sector to support those vulnerable and at risk of homelessness.
We have protected the homelessness prevention funding local authorities receive, totalling £315 million by 2019-20. This builds on our Spending Review commitment to increase central government funding to £139 million over the next four years. We are working with homelessness organisations to consider all options, including legislation, to ensure those at risk of homelessness get earlier and more effective support.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-10-10.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent representations he has (a) received and (b) made on eye health services at Birmingham City Hospital.
David Mowat
A search of the Department’s Ministerial correspondence database has identified one written representation received between 1 April 2016 and 11 October 2016 about eye health services at Birmingham City Hospital.
The Department has made no representations on this matter.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-10-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the efficiency savings his Department has gained from the reorganisation of the Highways Agency to Highways England; and what the budget of that body was in each of the last five years.
Andrew Jones
It is too early to estimate the efficiency savings gained from the reorganisation of Highways England which was created on 1 April 2015. The Department for Transport published the Roads Reform Programme Evaluation Framework in March. This includes a clear expectation that the evaluation will be carried out over a number of years, given the number of the changes made. In addition the Office of Rail and Road, will continue to monitor the performance of Highways England including efficiencies. The table below shows the capital expenditure of Highways England, with resource spend and the depreciation of road asset value.
|
Resource (excl.depreciation)(£m) |
Resource Depreciation (£m) |
Capital (£m) |
|
|
2014/15 |
1,000 |
866 |
1,823 |
|
2013/14 |
1,012 |
929 |
1,425 |
|
2012/13 |
1,038 |
914 |
1,034 |
|
2011/12 |
1,145 |
870 |
1,288 |
|
2010/11 |
1,214 |
775 |
1,654 |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the retesting of Volkswagen vehicles being carried out by the Vehicle Certification Agency includes testing for carbon dioxide emissions.
Andrew Jones
The Government takes the unacceptable actions of Volkswagen (VW) Group extremely seriously. As we investigate what went wrong and what we can do to stop it happening again, the priority of course remains to protect the public. We expect VW to take every step necessary to protect its UK customers, but it is right that the Government carry out their own thorough and independent investigation.
A written statement was made today (10 November) informing the House of the latest developments on the Department for Transport’s vehicle emissions testing programme, following the revelations that VW had fitted defeat devices to some of its vehicles.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is working to confirm that this issue is not industry wide. They have tested two VW group vehicles known to contain a defeat device and will rerun laboratory tests on popular cars sold in the UK to compare real world driving emissions against laboratory performance. This will include measuring CO2 .
The Secretary of State spoke to Dr Herbert Deiss of VW on 4 November to discuss CO2 emissions, seeking information on those vehicles affected in the UK and the extent of the discrepancy. VW have stated that they are working hard to clarify the situation and are liaising with relevant approval authorities.
The Secretary of State has written jointly with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to VW seeking clarification on several issues. Separately, officials from the Department for Transport, and its Agencies have held a number of discussions with VW regarding the recall of affected vehicles.
The Department for Transport has not made a specific assessment of on road emissions in relation to type approval requirements, but officials are aware of the findings in published reports suggesting significant differences.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-13.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure consistent and comprehensive communications by travel insurance companies with UK nationals in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Mr Tobias Ellwood
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office encourages British nationals to take out comprehensive travel insurance before all foreign travel and to consider carefully the type of insurance they need for their trip. In doing so we work closely with key industry partners such as the Association of British Insurers, who supported ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign activity on travel insurance in May, July and August this year. We also provide information and advice about travel insurance on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance. During our response to recent events in Sharm el Sheikh we worked closely with the airlines and tour operators to ensure consistency of approach to the package offered for those delayed in-country and to minimise the impact on travellers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many cars the DVLA clamped in each month of each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
The table below shows the information requested.
|
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
January |
9,023 |
8,370 |
5,131 |
5,197 |
5,696 |
8,890 |
|
February |
10,892 |
10,550 |
4,947 |
5,391 |
5,115 |
8,741 |
|
March |
12,722 |
9,517 |
5,356 |
5,450 |
5,333 |
8,630 |
|
April |
8,978 |
8,911 |
4,636 |
5,802 |
5,214 |
8,228 |
|
May |
8,887 |
8,265 |
5,065 |
5,450 |
5,549 |
8,511 |
|
June |
8,790 |
8,217 |
4,339 |
4,968 |
5,530 |
9,957 |
|
July |
8,970 |
7,365 |
5,257 |
4,238 |
5,634 |
10,554 |
|
August |
8,883 |
7,947 |
4,644 |
2,079 |
5,384 |
8,050 |
|
September |
8,562 |
7,472 |
4,525 |
3,918 |
5,530 |
9,444 |
|
October |
9,435 |
5,533 |
4,275 |
4,576 |
5,806 |
9,778 |
|
November |
9,873 |
2,828 |
4,349 |
4,791 |
5,756 |
|
|
December |
7,587 |
4,507 |
1,870 |
4,283 |
6,740 |
|
|
Total |
112,602 |
89,482 |
54,394 |
56,143 |
67,287 |
90,783 |
By way of context, the equivalent total figure for 2009 is 123,695 cars.
These vehicles would have been clamped by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s national wheelclamping contractors or by local authorities and police forces with devolved powers to clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2015-11-26.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what amount of taxation was levied on air travel in each of the last five years per (a) passenger and (b) tonne of cargo carried.
Damian Hinds
The information is not held in the form requested. However, information relating to total passengers and APD paid over the last five years are published in the Air Passenger Duty Tax and Duty bulletin at the following address: https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutybulletins.aspx