Alex Mayer MP: written questions
397 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Bus Services: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 722 on Public Transport, if her Department will list the Local Transport Authorities that are (a) using and (b) planning to use Bus Service Improvement Plan fu
Answer: The following Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) are either using or are exploring the use of Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding to fund Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) schemes. To note, this list is subject to change and may not be exhaustive ...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: CompensationDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to introduce an online search facility hosted by Great British Rail to help people affected by train delays find actual past (a) departure and (b) arrival times to support their c
Answer: Getting Britain Moving sets out the Government’s ambition for Great British Railways to simplify the ticketing system in future, including improving the Delay Repay claims process alongside improved reliability of services. Passengers currently only need ...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: CompensationDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2192More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much was paid out to passengers by (a) West Midlands Trains and (b) all train operators as part of the Delay Repay scheme in each of the last 12 months for which data is available.
Answer: The most recent published figures for compensation paid out by train operators to passengers are for 2022-2023 and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/train-operating-companies-passengers-charter-compensation/train-op...
Answered 5 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordBanking HubsTreasuryTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2191More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria her Department plans to use to identify locations for banking hubs; and if she will set out a timetable for rolling out hubs in constituencies affected by branch closures.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of banking to communities and high streets and has committed to work closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs over the next five years. These will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country w...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Leighton BuzzardDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board on funding options for a health hub in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade.
Answer: The Government recognises the pressure on primary care infrastructure in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, and across the wider National Health Service estate. We acknowledge that, nationally, change is desperately needed to bring healthcare closer to home, ...
Answered 5 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordShoplifting: BedfordshireHome OfficeTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the number of police hours spent on investigating shoplifting crimes in Bedfordshire in which the value of the goods taken was less than £200, in the latest period fo
Answer: The latest Police Recorded Crime figures showed 443,995 shoplifting offences for the year ending March 2024, an increase by 30% compared to the previous 12 months. Although the volume of charges for shoplifting rose by 47% in the year ending March 2024 (t...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: TrainingDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to allow local leaders to use Skills Bootcamp funding to support training for bus drivers.
Answer: Skills Bootcamps are a great way for learners and local areas to develop the skills they need and the department provides grant funding to 30 mayoral combined authorities and local areas to deliver Skills Bootcamps training that meets local skills’ priori...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordMobile Broadband: Houghton RegisDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if his Department will take steps to help improve the quality of mobile phone signal in (a) Houghton Regis and (b) Bidwell West.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving mobile coverage across the UK. Ofcom’s most recent coverage data for the former constituency of South West Bedfordshire shows 98% 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile network operators and that 5G is availab...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Dunstable and Leighton BuzzardDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1604More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is taking to reduce waiting times for practical tests in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. To increase the number of available test slots, it is conducting tests outside of regular hours, inclu...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: CosmeticsHome OfficeTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1135More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 May 2023 on Regulation Update, HCWS779, if she will make it her Department's policy to reinstate a full ban on the testing of cosmetic products on animals
Answer: Animal testing of cosmetics for consumer safety has been banned in the UK since 1998 and this remains in force.Additionally, the Government does not issue licences for animal testing of chemicals that are used exclusively as cosmetics ingredients, carried...
Answered 6 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordLondon Northwestern RailwayDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of (a) the adequacy of services provided by London Northwestern Railway and (b) whether London Northwestern Railway is meeting its obligations set out in the West Midlands Tr
Answer: The Department continues to work closely with West Midlands Trains (WMT), which operates London Northwestern Railway services to monitor its adequacy. The Department also monitors compliance with WMT’s contractual obligations. Although operational perform...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordFlood Control: Central BedfordshireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of flooding in central Bedfordshire.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA)’s current Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Capital Programme (2021-2027) includes 10 projects within the central Bedfordshire area, with a current estimated total project value of £3.5 million. This includes several sc...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Dunstable and Leighton BuzzardDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle waiting lists for mental health services in Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency.
Answer: Waiting lists for those referred for support are too high, and especially so for young people. People with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, which is why we will fix the broken system and ensure that people can be conf...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRoads: Dunstable and Leighton BuzzardDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of miles of roads in (a) Dunstable and (b) Leighton Buzzard that are in poor condition.
Answer: The Department for Transport collects information on the condition of roads from local highways authorities. Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard make up part of the local highway authority of Central Bedfordshire. Information on the condition of roads specific...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordWorking Conditions: TemperatureDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a maximum workplace temperature.
Answer: The Government is committed to modernising health and safety guidance including that addressing workplace temperatures. The Government will work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to bring forward detailed proposals for consultation on workplace t...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordEmpty Property: ShopsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate she has made of the number of unoccupied shops on high streets in (a) Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard constituency and (b) the UK.
Answer: The information requested is not held centrally. We are committed to safeguarding our high streets. Through the English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets that will empower local communities to recla...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordEmergency Services: MedalsHome OfficeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a medal for seriously injured and medically retired emergency service personnel.
Answer: We owe a tremendous gratitude to dedicated emergency service workers for their continued hard work and sacrifice to protect the public. There is no doubt that those who have their service cut short have made, and in many cases will continue to make, an in...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMobile Phones: Housing EstatesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 725More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the of the potential merits of minimum standards for mobile phone signal on new-build housing estates.
Answer: Regulations are in place which require developers of new build homes, including new-build housing estates, in England to install the infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable broadband connectivity. There is currently no equivalent provision relating t...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordShoplifting: ProsecutionsHome OfficeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 724More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to help ensure that shoplifters who steal goods worth under £200 are charged.
Answer: Police Recorded Crime figures showed 443,995 shoplifting offences for the year ending March 2024, an increase by 30% in the 12 months leading up to. Shoplifting continues to increase at an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence an...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordTrade Agreements: Academic FreedomDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to ensure commitments to academic freedom are discussed in the negotiation of trade agreements.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade are currently assessing progress across the programme of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) currently under negotiation and determining which matters will be raised in negotiations. The Department's trade deals will be align...
Answered 24 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPublic TransportDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Demand Responsive Transport schemes in which locations have been funded under the Bus service improvement plan..
Answer: We estimate around 19 Local Transport Authorities are using or planning to use Bus Service Improvement Plan funding to fund Demand Responsive Transport schemes around England.
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the average cost per passenger journey to the public purse of the £2 bus fare cap in each local transport authority.
Answer: The £2 National Bus Fare Cap is a voluntary scheme for eligible bus operators, who are provided a bespoke funding allocation to reimburse the difference between the cap and the shadow commercial fare. This is calculated using the Department for Transport’...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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