Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Supply Chains: Covid-19

Thursday 17 September 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have taken steps to support the UK transport sector and its supply chains during the covid-19 outbreak, including measures related to vehicle inspections and drivers' hours.
  • The Minister stated he would listen to representations from the sector regarding the impact of planned tax changes on businesses reliant on red diesel.
  • The Minister urged employers to treat workers with respect and sensitivity, highlighting the importance of protecting workers' rights in the aviation sector.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas Chapman SNP
Transport
Context

The question arises from the need to maintain supply chains and operations within the UK transport sector amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Question

What recent steps the Government have taken to support the UK transport sector and its supply chains during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Robert Courts

The Government have undertaken activity across the freight sector to ensure that supply chains are maintained, from vehicle inspections to drivers' hours and the temporary establishment of freight public service obligation contracts.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Economy Taxation Business & Trade
Context

Many businesses relying on red diesel are concerned that planned tax changes will negatively impact their operations while they recover from the pandemic.

Question

Covid-19 has placed major strains on supply chains across the UK, and many businesses that rely on red diesel are concerned that planned tax changes will have a detrimental impact while they struggle to recover from the pandemic. Will the Minister make representations to his Treasury colleagues to delay these changes until enough support is put in place to develop green alternatives to diesel-powered refrigeration?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Member rightly notes that those tax matters are for the Treasury. I will be sure, in the early days and weeks of my time in this brief, to listen to all representations from the sector and consider any appropriate action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: delaying planned tax changes on red diesel

How: Listen To All Representations, Consider Any Appropriate Action

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Kenny MacAskill
Employment
Context

Several constituents in the aviation sector have had their employment terms and conditions unilaterally changed for worse while executive bonuses remain unaffected.

Question

Several of my constituents in the aviation sector have had their terms and conditions of employment unilaterally changed, and for the worse. While support for the sector is vital, surely when executive bonuses and dividend payments seem unaffected, the protection of workers' rights is equally essential. Will the Minister commit to supporting the Employment (Dismissal and Re-employment) Bill proposed by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands), as well as the calls of the trade unions?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Member makes an excellent point. The workers to whom he refers are highly skilled, highly trained and of enormous value to the UK and the aviation sector. I urge all employers to treat those who work for them with respect and sensitivity, and I urge them to work in a spirit of partnership with unions and employees.

Not addressed: supporting the Employment (Dismissal and Re-employment) Bill

How: Treat Workers With Respect, Partnership With Unions

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

Local coach companies are facing financial difficulties due to the reduction in day trips and coach travel for football supporters caused by the coronavirus.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to say that my thoughts, and I am sure the thoughts of the whole House, are with the injured and all those affected by the recent bus accident in Winchester. Local coach companies are much loved small businesses with the owner's name and the town of origin proudly painted on the side of the coach. These are local small businesses that have served their communities through thick and thin. However, day trips and coach travel for football supporters have disappeared because of the coronavirus, and four in 10 of these much-loved local companies could go out of business this autumn, with the loss of 27,000 jobs. Will the Minister reassure the House that the Government will take urgent action to support these family-owned small businesses, and will he meet me and the coach operators as a matter of urgency?

Answer from Robert Courts

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that very important point. I know that that is an area in which he has a particular interest. I would be very glad to meet him and representatives of the sector to look at what may be done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: urgent government intervention to prevent local coach companies from going out of business

How: Meet Him And Representatives, Look At What May Be Done

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Gavin Newlands SNP
Employment Transport Business & Trade
Context

The British Airways chief executive stated that he would protect BA at all costs, which could result in the loss of jobs and reduced terms for employees.

Question

I echo the comments of the shadow Minister on the bus accident in Winchester. Yesterday, the British Airways chief executive told the Transport Committee that he would protect BA at all costs. Those costs will be borne by 10,000-plus jobless employees and the remainder whose terms and conditions have been permanently slashed and are as yet unknown. Many of those jobs and thousands of others across the sector could have been saved had the Secretary of State kept his word to stand by the industry's side. When will we see business rates relief for England and when will we finally see the promised sector-specific support?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Member refers to some of the decisions taken by BA. These are, of course, commercial matters, but, as we have been clear, they are none the less ones that we regret. There are a number of aspects here, but the thrust of his question is, of course, with regard to support for the aviation sector. The Government have made available £330 billion of support through loans and guarantees across the breadth of the entire economy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: timings for business rates relief and sector-specific support

How: £330 Billion Of Support, Across The Breadth Of The Entire Economy

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email