Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Aviation: Accessibility for Disabled People

Thursday 21 November 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Richard Baker (Glenrothes and Mid Fife) (Labour) welcomed the Secretary of State's announcement of a new expert group to address barriers to air travel for disabled people.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the cost burden for regional and island airports in providing accessibility equipment and committed to working with the industry to explore voluntary measures and enforcement options.
  • Seamus Logan (Aberdeenshire North and Moray East) (Scottish National Party) inquired about steps being taken to improve aviation accessibility for disabled people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
NHS
Context

The question follows a tribute to Lord Prescott, focusing on the need for improved accessibility in aviation for disabled individuals.

Question

I associate myself with the tributes to Lord Prescott. As a sponsor of the Aviation (Accessibility) Bill, introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis), I welcome the Secretary of State's announcement of the new expert group to break down the barriers to air travel that are still experienced by far too many disabled people. Does she agree that ensuring all disabled people have the ability to travel on flights safely and with dignity must now be a priority for the whole aviation industry?

Answer from Louise Haigh

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend and pay tribute to him and my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Daniel Francis) for their ten-minute rule Bill on this important issue. The human impact for too many people with accessibility issues when flying is severe and that is why it is this Government's priority to set up the accessibility task and finish group. We are requiring the industry to match our ambition.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly confirm agreement on making air travel safe and dignified for disabled people a priority for the whole aviation industry, instead focusing on the Government's own efforts and requirements for the industry.

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Q2 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Social Care Transport
Context

The question addresses the need to support smaller airports in providing necessary accessibility equipment despite potential high costs.

Question

For regional and island airports, accessibility equipment can carry significant cost in proportion to the number of passengers using the facility. However, it remains vital that disabled passengers' access is supported. What action is the Secretary of State taking to support smaller airports in this regard?

Answer from Louise Haigh

Airports are represented in the accessibility task and finish group through their trade association, AirportsUK, and both large and smaller airports are represented individually as well. We will work closely with the industry to look at what voluntary measures can be adopted as we also consider enforcement powers for the Civil Aviation Authority.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify concrete actions or funding for supporting smaller airports in providing accessibility equipment, instead focusing on working with the industry and considering enforcement powers.

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Q3 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Transport Women & Equalities
Context

The question follows a tribute to Lord Prescott, focusing on the establishment of an expert group to improve aviation accessibility.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of aviation for disabled people.

Answer from Louise Haigh

May I take this opportunity to pay my tribute to the former Deputy Prime Minister and my predecessor as Transport Secretary? A merchant navy steward who became Deputy Prime Minister, a visionary Transport Secretary and an icon of the New Labour Government, he was an inspiration to working class boys and girls across our country for what our Labour movement can achieve. Our thoughts are with Pauline, his family and everyone who loved him in our whole Labour family. The Government are committed to ensuring that aviation is accessible to all. I am proud that we have established the aviation accessibility task and finish group, bringing together industry and consumer advocates with first-hand experience to improve aviation accessibility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer began with a tribute rather than addressing specific steps being taken for aviation accessibility improvement.

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