Industrial Action Public Services 2023-02-02
2023-02-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Public services face disruptions due to ongoing strikes, raising concerns about service continuity and safety.
What steps his Department is taking to support the operation of public services during industrial action. Public services are facing significant disruptions from ongoing strikes, affecting essential operations like border security and emergency response in rural areas.
All Departments are responsible for their own business continuity plans and have well-established contingency arrangements. The Cabinet Office's Cobra unit has supported Departments to develop those arrangements to minimise the impact on public services. Yesterday, more than 600 military personnel undertook action to support a smooth flow at the border.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for ambulance response times and rural areas were not addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
London's transport network faces ongoing disruptions due to strikes, raising concerns about safety and overcrowding at bus stops and railway stations.
As if the ultra low emission zone were not bad enough, Carshalton and Wallington residents have had to deal with strikes affecting the transport network. Bus stops and railway stations face dangerous overcrowding during strikes. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that safety will be a key factor when minimum service levels are set?
My hon. Friend rightly raises a point about minimum service levels, which are at the root of the Government's legislation—the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill—to protect standards of service and safety on our transport network.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the specific concern about overcrowding and safety during strikes
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Rural areas like Eddisbury face challenges with ambulance response times due to strikes, leading to concerns about patient safety.
Ambulance response times are a persistent issue in rural areas such as Eddisbury. Unions representing ambulance workers refuse to agree on minimum service levels during industrial action. Does my right hon. Friend agree that unions should embrace these measures for the public's sake?
The public expect a minimum safety level in core public services such as ambulance provision, which is why the Government are bringing forward sensible, straightforward measures to ensure patient safety at times of need.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on current measures or timelines for implementation
Response accuracy