Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 81–94 of 94 · Department for Transport
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 the country and create opportunities for all. Private hire drivers’ entitlements to employment rights depend, as with other working individuals, on their employment status. The Employment Rights Bill does provide important new rights for many limb (b) workers – in particular the measures relating to zero hours contracts.
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 (DTC), include the recruitment of new driving examiners (DE), conducting tests outside regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from DEs. DVSA also continues to deploy DEs from areas with lower waiting times into those where waiting times are longer. As part of a recent recruitment exercise, DVSA hopes to offer training courses to two potential new DEs at Slough DTC in the new year. In future recruitment campaigns, DVSA will continue to look to fill additional examiner roles at Slough DTC.
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’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October.The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.
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’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October.The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant government departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector.This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies, and communities.
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 of work.
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 certainty to the sector’s customers and investors and will demonstrate the Government’s commitment to this area.
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 clear mitigations to reduce the impacts of winter weather on punctuality and reliability. Network Rail Routes liaise closely with train operators to ensure comprehensive winter checklists are in place and to align customer messaging. Additionally, in Control Period 7 between 2024-2029, Network Rail plans to invest c.£2.8bn to help it better cope with extreme weather and climate change, ultimately safeguarding a more reliable railway.
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 Rail about the scheme.
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 targeted adoption, to deliver the greatest possible productivity benefits. We are collaborating with the Alan Turing Institute and the Office for National Statistics to measure the opportunities for productivity gains and prioritise the introduction of AI tools where they can bring the most benefit.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a programme of railway electrification.
The Government expects electrification to play an important role in our programme to achieve our Net Zero 2050 target, tackle air pollution, and improve the passenger experience.
Whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have met with representatives of the European Company for the Financing of Railroad Rolling Stock (EUROFIMA).
My officials have been engaging regularly with Eurofima over the last two years to consider the potential for UK membership, and they continue to engage with them on this matter. The Government is committed to developing a long-term industrial strategy for rolling stock, which supports British manufacturing and innovation and ultimately improves the offer for passengers. As part of this, my officials have been exploring the best financing structures to support this investment, in partnership with private finance, and this includes considering Eurofima finance.
What steps she is taking to improve passenger rail performance.
Improving railway performance and driving forward rail reform is the Department’s top priority. The Secretary of State and Rail Minister are meeting with Train Operating Companies and Network Rail to hold them to account in a joined-up manner across track and train. Great British Railways (GBR) will put passengers back at the heart of our railways and the Secretary of State established Shadow GBR to kickstart those improvements prioritising performance ahead of the formal establishment of GBR.