Topical Questions 2021-11-04
2021-11-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Insulate Britain protests are preventing MPs from entering the House, leading to calls for action.
Mr Shapps, the Insulate Britain protests have stopped Members from accessing the Chamber. Can you confirm that injunctions against protesters are being served and what legal measures will be taken to address this issue?
Following my requirement that National Highways seek injunctions against the protesters, 475 injunctions have been served to protesters at their homes for contempt of court. Contempt of court can lead to unlimited fines and prison sentences. We will act through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to resolve the gap in the law.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Sheffield was promised a range of levelling-up measures for rail infrastructure five years ago, but many projects have been abandoned or delayed.
Five years ago, Sheffield looked as though it was going to benefit from a whole range of levelling-up measures for rail infrastructure. However, the electrification of the midland main line was abandoned in 2017; a positive report on a new road tunnel between Sheffield and Manchester seems to have lain dormant; and the high-speed rail line has been downgraded to an upgrade that only allows trains to reach under 60 mph. Will the Secretary of State now commit to proceeding with the eastern leg of High Speed 2, or is this simply another example of Sheffield being left behind?
There are still other upgrades to be considered, such as the midland main line. I am afraid you will have to wait for the integrated rail plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to the eastern leg of High Speed 2
Disappointment
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Mayor of London is making cuts to bus routes in the constituency, halting a tube station upgrade, while increasing the congestion charge.
The Mayor of London is cutting seven bus routes in my constituency, halting the upgrade to South Kensington tube station, and increasing the congestion charge. Does the Secretary agree that this reeks of financial incompetence on the part of the Mayor?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the problems created by the Mayor, including a 31% increase in council tax through the mayoral precept and consideration of checkpoints for non-Londoners at £1,000 a year.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to address specific policies
Disagreement
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The British people are looking for leadership on climate change after the Budget indicated a lack of ambition. There has been no action to reverse the decline in bus use or implement promised zero-carbon buses.
The Government's Budget saw cuts to domestic aviation taxes but did not reverse the rapid decline in bus use, despite the Prime Minister's promise of 4,000 new zero-carbon buses two years ago. The roll-out of electric charging points is sluggish, and there are now more diesel vans on the road than when the Government came to power. What will change next week at COP26?
We have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter since coming to power and are the first country to legislate for net zero by 2050. In the Budget, we announced £620 million for the transition to zero-emission vehicles and £180 million for sustainable aviation fuel.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions at COP26
Ambition
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
There have been delays in reinstating the hard shoulder on smart motorways. Whistleblowers confirm equipment failures and lives at risk.
With respect, I want to stop the Secretary of State from flying his private plane. Turning to smart motorways, it has been 10 months since I asked for the immediate reinstate of the hard shoulder, but no action followed. Instead, you have continued with the roll-out despite confirmed equipment failures and lives at risk. Now that the Transport Committee's damning report is out, will you do the right thing and immediately insist on reinstating the hard shoulder?
The evidence suggests that putting the hard shoulder back in could put more drivers at risk. It is important to do everything possible, and we have a 18-point plan and £500 million to get things sorted out.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to reinstate hard shoulder
Risk Assessment
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government are planning to legislate on vehicle modifications for reasons of road safety. Concerns have been raised about the impact this may have on legitimate engine tuning activities, classic car markets, and motor sports industries.
I am aware that the Government are about to legislate on vehicle modifications for reasons of road safety. Can the Minister please reassure me that this will not unduly affect our legitimate engine tuning activities, our buoyant classic and prestige car markets and also our world-leading motor sports industries, all of which are pivotal for sustaining many thousands of jobs.
I can assure my hon. Friend that our intention for this consultation is to prevent modifications that negatively impact on road safety, vehicle security and the environment. Department for Transport officials have been instructed to ensure that proposals do not prevent activities such as restoration, repairs or legitimate improvements to classic cars, or do any damage to the motor sports businesses involved in these activities.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Rail services in the Teesside area are among the worst in the country, with outdated diesel trains and infrequent service schedules. The questioner seeks improvements before the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington railway.
Rail services on, to, and from Teesside are probably some of the worst in the country, with hand-me-down diesel trains and intermittent services. Soon we will have the 200th anniversary of the start of the railways, which was the Stockton and Darlington railway. Any chance of improvements before then?
There are a whole host of massive improvements going on across our railways. I will happily meet the hon. Gentleman to talk about individual diesel multiple units around the Stockton area and how they can be improved.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the issues but does not provide a specific timeline or commitment for improvements.
Looking At This
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister recently announced the delivery of more buses towards a target of 4,000 zero-emission buses. The questioner seeks assurance that these orders will be placed with UK manufacturers.
I very much welcome the Minister's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Andrew Jones), outlining the good news in the Budget on the delivery of more buses towards our target of 4,000 zero-emission buses. There are three manufacturers here in the UK that can deliver these buses, including one with a production line in Scarborough. Will the Minister give me a guarantee that these orders will be placed with UK manufacturers?
As Scarborough and Whitby is the proud home of Alexander Dennis coaches, I know that my right hon. Friend will welcome the firm acceleration that is supporting thousands of zero-emission buses, thanks to a further £355 million of funding announced in the spending review last week.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a direct guarantee but mentions support for UK manufacturers without specifics.
Working On This
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Northern Powerhouse Rail could support a significant increase in rail travel between Bradford and Leeds, reducing car trips. The questioner asks if the Government have a strategy to ensure a recovery by rail rather than road, including Northern Powerhouse Rail.
One of the largest city-to-city journeys to work in the country is between Bradford and Leeds, and those journeys are mostly by car. At scale, Northern Powerhouse Rail would support a 400% increase in rail travel and take 64,000 car trips a day off the roads. With COP under way, do this Government have a strategy to ensure that our covid recovery is by rail, rather than by road, and will that include—because it should—Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, with a city centre stop in Bradford?
The hon. Lady tempts me to speculate on the contents of the integrated rail plan. As I said in response to the hon. Member for Bradford East (Imran Hussain), she will have to wait and see. However, the Government recognise the importance of Bradford, and particularly the connectivity of Bradford to Leeds—two incredibly important northern cities.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address the specific question about a strategy for recovery by rail or Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Not Addressing
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The Birmingham cross-city line is the second busiest in the UK, and its extension to Lichfield via the National Memorial Arboretum could greatly benefit the rail network. The questioner invites the Secretary of State to visit for an assessment.
The Birmingham cross-city line is, I am told, the second busiest rail line in the whole United Kingdom. A continuation of it is the route from Lichfield to Burton via the National Memorial Arboretum. At present, that line is only used for freight traffic. Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visit—without a harness—so that he can have a look at the rail line for himself and see what a valuable addition it would be to the rail network?
I would be delighted to visit. I am sure that the Secretary of State would as well; he definitely does not need a harness to visit places. We are well aware of the opportunities that exist in this area and the importance of the National Memorial Arboretum to so many people.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges interest but does not commit to visiting or assessing the line.
Looking At This
Under Consideration
Response accuracy
Q11
Direct Answer
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Context
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has a backlog of outstanding licence applications, affecting professional drivers who are needed during a shortage.
My inbox—and, I am sure, those of many other Members—is mounting up with complaints from constituents who have been waiting months for responses from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency about drivers' applications. Many of them are professional drivers, of whom there is a shortage at the moment. One of my constituents who was renewing his licence has not had a reply in time and now cannot work. Will the Secretary of State assure us that something is being done to catch up with the backlog?
I bring the hon. Lady and the House good news. It was reported a few weeks ago that there were 56,000 outstanding licence applications at the DVLA, where there had been a long-running strike during covid. The good news is that that 56,000 is now down to just 16,000, of which 4,000 are returned within five days. Those are the new applications. The remainder are being worked on quickly and do not, in fact, stop anybody from driving.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Gear Change programme provides £2 billion for cycling and walking. Stapleford town in Broxtowe has shown interest in the Mini Holland scheme.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do appreciate your understanding when I was blocked getting into the House earlier today by the protesters. Last year, thankfully, the Prime Minister came to Broxtowe to announce “Gear Change”, which provides £2 billion-worth of cycling and walking funding. That indicates that active travel is really at the heart of the Government's agenda. I have in Broxtowe a town called Stapleford where people have put in an expression of interest for something called Mini Holland, which sounds fantastic. Will the Minister explain what that scheme is all about and how the process will work?
I can honestly say to him that “Gear Change” is an extremely important document that has a whole host of pledges that we would like to happen, Mini Hollands being one of them. Where they have been introduced before—Waltham Forest in London is a good example—we are getting towards nearly 50% of all journeys taken within the area being by active travel. That is a massive change in how people go about their business, and indeed massive acceptance by communities that might have been sceptical about them beforehand. They are really valuable schemes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specifics on the Mini Holland scheme or its implementation process
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
North-east region was not mentioned in the Budget's investment for northern transport. Geordies pay more to travel on buses compared to Londoners.
The Secretary of State and the Chancellor press-released that the Budget would invest in northern transport, but once again the north-east was entirely overlooked. It costs more for a Geordie to go four stops up the West Road on a bus than it does for a Londoner to traverse the whole of London city, so when will the Secretary of State level down bus prices?
The hon. Lady will be familiar with our enthusiasm for buses and the “Bus Back Better” strategy. I have personally been involved with putting tens of millions of pounds into the excellent Nexus system, which helps to connect communities as well. She will simply not find a Government more keen and excited about levelling up transport and bringing it all the way up the country no matter where hon. Members are from.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific ask about leveling down bus prices
Levelling Up
Response accuracy
Q14
Direct Answer
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Context
Question was interrupted due to protestors blocking the House. Asked about reducing CO2 emissions from aviation at Heathrow airport.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very seldom that I become furious, but I am absolutely apoplectic about missing my question this morning due to those reprobates outside who are doing their cause no good whatsoever. I was sitting in my electric vehicle—I know the Secretary of State has one as well—coming here with the sole purpose of putting pressure on the Government to reduce carbon emissions from aviation from Heathrow airport, so it is absolutely bizarre that they should have blocked that question. My question now, which I will slightly rephrase, is: given that aviation is one of the greatest contributors to CO2 emissions, do the Government have any plans to continue to put downward pressure on CO2 from aviation?
I am very glad to see my hon. Friend here fighting for his constituents, as ever. I am glad that he made it in past the protestors to make that entirely forceful and appropriate point on their behalf. He is right to acknowledge that aviation is one of the harder to decarbonise sectors, and clearly it has to make a big contribution. The Government are working very hard to make sure that the carbon emissions in aviation are reduced, through technology and innovation, because we wish to see guilt-free flying. We have consulted on the “Jet Zero” strategy. Next year we will publish the final “Jet Zero” strategy, which will explain how we can keep the benefits of air travel and the opportunities that it has for the UK while ensuring that it is done on a vastly reduced carbon emission basis.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
City of York Council banned blue badge holders from city centre access. Delay in implementing audio-visual for buses and accessible travel schemes.
Since City of York Council barred blue badge holders from accessing our city centre, it seems also that the Government are delaying implementing fully accessible transport. We heard earlier about the five-year delay on audio-visual for buses, but also, in commissioning active travel schemes, the Government are not making them accessible either. Will the Minister talk to the companies that are putting in place e-travel active travel schemes to ensure that they have an accessible form of vehicles as well so that we can increase motability for disabled people?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I think I completely understood it, but in case I have not, perhaps it is worth us meeting to clarify this. Yes, we are spending a huge amount on active travel. Another pledge in “Gear Change” is to have e-bikes going out across local communities, and they are being rolled out now, as they should be. This is determined by local authorities, and perhaps it is a question of localism, but let me meet her to work out what the problem is and rectify it, because we should be able to give it a good nudge from the centre.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to discussing e-travel schemes with companies for accessibility
Localism
Response accuracy
Q16
Direct Answer
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Context
Residents of Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke have expressed dissatisfaction with bus services. Stoke-on-Trent Council wants £90 million for the Bus Back Better initiative.
There can be no better place to Bus Back Better than the great city of Stoke-on-Trent, because, sadly, in a survey of 230 residents from across Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke, people said to me that fares are not fair, reliability is non-existent and there is not good connectivity for places such as Brindley Ford and the great village of Milton. The Secretary of State joked with me recently that I must have broken WhatsApp, because I kept bombarding him with demands and messages. He should save himself a load of hassle, give Stoke-on-Trent the £90 million it wants for the Bus Back Better strategy, and ensure that we level up in the great city of Stoke-on-Trent.
Absolutely yes, Mr Speaker. I thank my hon. Friend for his championing of Bus Back Better. The Government are absolutely determined that great bus services be available to everyone, especially those in Stoke-on-Trent. Our national bus strategy explains how we will make buses more frequent, more reliable, easier to understand and use, better co-ordinated and cheaper. We are more than doubling dedicated bus funding compared with the previous Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17
Direct Answer
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Context
Making aviation net zero is a challenge. Question about meeting to discuss synthetic fuels for aircraft.
Making aviation net zero is clearly a big challenge. Earlier, the Secretary of State said that it is not flying that is the problem, but emissions from aircraft that use fossil fuels. Will he meet me to discuss ideas around synthetic fuels that scientists from the University of Leeds have brought to my attention?
I would be delighted to.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
The Department for Transport and Greater Anglia have a new agreement on running railways in East Anglia which does not include the previous commitment to reinstate through-services from Lowestoft to Liverpool Street.
Greater Anglia has agreed that it will look at reinstating through-services from Lowestoft to Liverpool Street over the next six months. Will my hon. Friend work with me and Greater Anglia to see whether it is possible to do that?
Yes.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a commitment to work with Peter Aldous and Greater Anglia was not addressed with any concrete action or timeline.
Response accuracy