Contributions
1,819 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesThere is a fundamental misunderstanding here, because what we have done does not increase workers’ hours. It provides flexibility without changing the hours. If the hon. Member is…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesMy hon. Friend is absolutely right about the need for vocational training and testing in all sectors. One of the good things about these measures is that the expanded number of…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesThe hon. Gentleman makes the good point that we have a just-in-time delivery system in this country, and we must maintain it. The resilience of many of the supply chains,…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesMy hon. Friend is, of course, spot on. It is extraordinary to hear the Opposition’s absolute obsession with Brexit. Government Members have all moved on, have we not? They want to…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesI am a little confused by the question because I have never said, “This is nothing to do with me.” In fact, I consider it the Department for Transport’s responsibility to propose…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesFirst, it is important to say that many of the solutions rest with the sector. It is not simply the Government who need to resolve the supply shortages; as I said earlier, it goes…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesIf the hon. Gentleman had his way, he would be importing drivers from England to settle the shortage. It just makes no sense. We have gone round in circles on this. The reality is…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortagesI just cannot put it better than my hon. Friend. Those countries are in the EU, as are France, Spain and Italy in addition. All have enormous shortages of drivers. There is, of…13 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Driver ShortageThe HGV driver shortage is a long-standing challenge facing countries across the world. As a result of the pandemic, driver testing was suspended for large parts of the last year.…10 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainI have regular discussions with the road haulage industry. Over the summer, we conducted a public consultation that resulted in over 9,000 responses.09 Sept 2021HANSARDHGV Drivers: Road SafetyThe Department’s published guidance makes it clear that driver safety and that of other road users must not be compromised, and that the relaxation must only be used where…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainI hear what the hon. Lady says, but actually it is a fact that there is a global shortage. In the US, for example, drivers are being hired from South Africa. In Poland, the…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainI absolutely join my hon. Friend in that. This sector literally works day and night to provide goods, medicines and vital services around the country, for which we are hugely…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainFirst, we have introduced a temporary relaxation on drivers’ hours. Secondly, we have introduced £7,000 funding for the large goods vehicle driver apprenticeship programme.…09 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will tell you what I will do, Mr Speaker: not only will I write to the hon. Gentleman, but I will publish a copy of the letter in the House, for the House’s greater benefit. He…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. As well as things such as the provision of skills—I have talked about the £7,000 apprenticeship programme—we are looking at what else we can do…09 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsToday is World EV Day, celebrating electric vehicle ownership worldwide and right here in the UK—one of the best places to drive an electric vehicle. Our extensive network of…09 Sept 2021HANSARDPublic Transport UseI agree that buses are essential to communities: they connect people, enable people to get to jobs and education, and drive growth. That is why we are investing £3 billion of new…09 Sept 2021HANSARDGoods Supply ChainI do agree that this is an urgent measure. That is why, before anybody else was talking about it, we were already acting—carrying out these consultations, putting in place these…09 Sept 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Minister of State, Department for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris), says he has received an offer he cannot refuse. Also, I would be…09 Sept 2021