Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 103 · Department for Transport
Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential impact of constructing a western rail link to Heathrow airport on the Government's net zero targets.
I am advised that no discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero relating to the construction of a western rail link to Heathrow.
What the median age is of computers issued to officials in their Department.
The response below covers the central department (DfTc) and the five Executive Agencies: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Active Travel England (ATE). Please note: DfT(c) handle all IT devices for Active Travel England (ATE) and so they are included in the returns for DfT(c). The median age of computers issued is below:DfT(C) (inc. ATE): 1.6 years old.DVLA: 2 years old.DVSA: 2.5 years old.VCA: 4.16 years old.MCA: 2.5 years old.
Whether she plans to update the national maritime security strategy, CP 724, published on 15 August 2022.
The Secretary of State for Transport has no current plans to publish a new national maritime security strategy. As announced by the PM, a new national security strategy will be published this summer.
What assessment her Department has made of the (a) accessibility and (b) ease of use of the delay repay systems used by each rail operator.
My Department conducts a bi-annual delay repay compensation survey which includes questions about accessibility and the ease of use of the system. The next survey is taking place this year and the results will be published in due course.
Whether she has taken recent steps to improve the resilience of railways to extreme weather conditions.
The Department for Transport has plans in place and underway with industry to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change on the railway.Network Rail, and the wider rail industry, are working to improve our resilience to climate change impacts and more widely to disruptive events. Network Rail published its fourth adaptation report in December 2024 which provided a more detailed and updated climate risk assessment and associated adaptation action. For the first time, two train operating companies published reports under the adaptation reporting power, recognising that the risks posed by the changing climate will affect their operations and customers too. In addition, adaptation commitments are being progressed in train operating companies' business plans for the first time.The Department is also planning to publish its finalised transport adaptation strategy which will set out priorities for adapting to climate change and help drive further engagement with industry.
Whether she has taken recent steps to improve the resilience of railways to landslips.
Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Britain’s railways, has the main responsibility for maintaining the integrity and safety of the rail network from landslips. To this end, Network Rail has allocated £2.8 billion during Control Period 7 (2024-2029) to be invested on activities and technology to improve system wide resilience to extreme weather and climate change, including landslips. These activities include both preventative and reactive measures, including reinforcing embankments, enhancing drainage systems, stabilising slopes, and using remote sensing and real-time monitoring to predict and monitor slope movements to enable early intervention. Network Rail has recently invested £33m to prevent landslips on the Browney Curvey near Durham, £25m on the Severn Estuary line and £3.5m on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line. Network Rail has also developed a range of measures to enable it to anticipate and mitigate disruption to the rail network caused by extreme weather, which are contained in its Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Plan. These build on the recommendations of the Mair-Slingo reports, which were commissioned following the Stonehaven derailment in August 2020.
Whether she has plans to introduce legislation on the use of e-scooters.
The Government recognises the depth of public concern about the longstanding question of regulation for e-scooters and the need to address it. We intend to deliver an integrated transport system that reduces emissions, improves journeys, and gives people choice over how they travel, and we are carefully considering how micromobility, including e-scooters, can help to deliver these objectives.The trials of rental e-scooters are due to run until May 2026 and will help to build our evidence base and inform options for future regulation. Findings will be published once the evaluation of the trials has finished. No decisions have been taken on regulating private e-scooters, but the Department for Transport has committed to consulting on any future regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have the chance to shape the new regime.
What recent steps she is taking to ensure that privately owned e-scooters comply with the law.
The Department for Transport has previously written to micromobility retailers to remind them of their responsibility to provide their customers with accurate information about the legal restrictions on e-scooter use. The DVSA Market Surveillance Unit also carries out surveillance of e-scooter retailers to ensure they are being supplied in line with current legislation. When the MSU observes non-compliant advertising, they act to rectify this. Until any changes are brought forward and come into effect, private e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used in national rental e-scooter trial areas. Law enforcement, including the enforcement of law on the road is an operational matter for the police, who will decide how to deploy available resources in dealing with all the issues for which the force is responsible, taking into account any specific local problems and demands.
What recent steps she has taken to help ensure that privately owned electric bikes comply with the law.
All e-cycles, whether privately owned or part of a rental scheme, must comply with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. The Department has published extensive guidance on this on gov.uk, which it recently updated. It also works with the cycle industry to ensure that retailers make clear to their customers what is, and what is not, a legal e-cycle. Where the requirements set out in the EAPC Regulations are not met in full, the e-cycle is classed as a motor vehicle and needs to be approved and registered with the DVLA, as well as being taxed and insured. Enforcement of these requirements is a matter for the police.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of working conditions for private hire drivers.
The Department for Transport discusses a range of issues with representatives from the taxi and private hire vehicle sector. Employment law and working practice policy, including working conditions, is outside of my Department’s remit and is owned by the Department for Business and Trade.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the measures in the Employments Rights Bill on working rights for private hire drivers.
The Employment Rights Bill Impact Assessments show that by boosting protections and the quality of work for the lowest paid in the labour market, who are concentrated in more deprived areas of the UK, the package will help to raise living standards across...
What steps she is taking to increase the availability of driving tests in Slough constituency.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres (...
Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the affordability of insurance for (a) young and (b) all drivers.
This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government has formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty...
Whether she has had discussions with representatives of the insurance industry on (a) increases in car insurance costs and (b) steps being taken by (i) the Government and (ii) insurers to reduce those costs.
This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government has formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty...
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2024 to Question 12929 on Railways: Freight, who will set the target for growing rail freight.
The Secretary of State will be responsible for setting clear and meaningful targets for growing rail freight, working with Shadow Great British Railways to identify the best way in which they should be expressed. Growth targets will provide confidence and...
What discussions she has had with Network Rail on steps to prepare the rail network for adverse winter weather.
Network Rail owns and is responsible for maintaining railway infrastructure to ensure passenger and freight services operate safely. Officials hold regular discussions with Network Rail and industry to ensure winter preparedness plans are in place with cl...
Pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 12766 on Rolling Stock, if she will make an assessment of introducing a rolling programme for the new build and refurbishment of rolling stock.
The rolling stock strategy that is currently being developed will support British manufacturing and innovation. This will align with the wider objectives of the industry in ending the current variability in production rates and ensuring a stable pipeline ...
How their Department defines strategy.
The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.
Whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of (a) Heathrow Airport, (b) Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and (c) Network Rail on a potential western rail link to Heathrow.
Officials from my Department met with representatives of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce during the summer to discuss the business case for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow. There have not been recent meetings with Heathrow Airport Ltd and Network ...
What steps they are taking to use (a) artificial intelligence and (b) data to help increase their Department's productivity.
The Department for Transport has established an Organisational AI programme to effectively explore the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of our work. It is structured to ensure safe, effective and appropriately ta...