The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.

The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.

The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.

The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.

The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.

The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.

The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.

The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.

Each year the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) commissions an independent survey of local authority highway authorities in England, including London, and Wales.

According to the AIA report, the aim of the survey is to take a snapshot of the general condition of the local road network based on information provided directly by those responsible for its maintenance.

The Department considers the report, along with a range of other evidence, when we are bidding to His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT).

All mechanically propelled vehicles that are used or kept on a public road must be registered and taxed. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle untaxed vehicle, including those used for business purposes. These range from automatic number plate recognition cameras, wheelclamping, the removal and impounding of untaxed vehicles, and court prosecutions.

When the DVLA is made aware of an untaxed vehicle, a report is sent to its national wheelclamping contractor NSL Services Ltd (NSL); so that they can, where appropriate, take enforcement action. NSL maximises its resources by visiting different areas on a daily basis.

The local authorities that have been pre-selected for funding are invited to submit an application. This selection is based on robust Department for Transport data that has been further analysed by the Road Safety Foundation. This process is non-competitive.

After an initial meeting with Department officials to discuss their particular route and its issues, they submit their proposals for assessment. Each application is seen independently by 2 Safer Roads Fund officials at the DfT and an economist. The Safer Roads Fund Team also discuss the applications, making sure they have passed a list of criteria including governance, quality assurance, affordability and a risk register. HM Treasury must approve an overview of the proposed funded schemes before funds can be released.

As it is a non-competitive process, the eligible bids are assessed to ensure that the local authorities’ planned interventions will successfully capture the Road Safety Foundation modelled interventions to reduce risks on the selected route.

Local authorities have access at all times to support from the DfT and the Road Safety Foundation.

My officials are in contact with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council on the information needed as part of the Department’s review of the Strategic Outline Case for the Shipley Eastern Relief Road scheme.

The impact of His Majesty’s Passport Office no longer collecting digital signatures for passports on driving licence applications has been minimal. Around 70 per cent of driving licence renewal applications are made online.

The DVLA also has an online service which allows customers applying for a first provisional driving licence to upload their own digital photograph and signature. Customers using the DVLA’s renew a photocard licence service can also upload a new signature or use an existing one.

The DVLA is focused on delivering further improvements to enable even more customers to use its online services. The exact order of implementing service improvements will be based on where the DVLA can add the most value to customers.

The Department recommends that cyclists should wear helmets, as set out in The Highway Code, and will continue to encourage children to wear helmets. A comprehensive safety review carried out in 2018 considered the benefits of mandating helmet wearing for cyclists of all ages but concluded that the safety benefits would be likely to be outweighed by the fact that this would put some people off cycling, thereby reducing the wider health and environmental benefits

The Department's statutory guidance on implementing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) will apply to new and existing LTN schemes once it is published in final form this summer. Its purpose is to set out the Department’s expectations for comprehensive local engagement; both before new schemes are implemented, and on an ongoing basis for existing schemes. This is to ensure the needs of communities and road users are properly considered.

The Department will not support LTNs unless they are designed and delivered in line with the eventual, finalised statutory guidance; and reserves the right to take further action if local authorities do not follow it.

Design guidance for cycle infrastructure issued by the Department for Transport sets out that there should be separation of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure wherever possible. This guidance was developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including disability groups.

The Department for Transport established Active Travel England (ATE) to up-skill local authorities, enabling the installation of changes that are well thought through for all modes of travel, and disseminating best practice. As part of this, ATE has recently published a suite of design assistance and scheme review tools to support the development of accessible active travel schemes. The agency has also commissioned West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake research into crossing detection systems.

ATE will continue to work with organisations representing blind and visually impaired people to improve standards and further reduce the rare occasions that collisions occur.

The Department is working closely with the transport sector, as well as the haulage and logistics sectors, to ensure that they are prepared for EES, and will be engaging with their passengers and members to ensure awareness.

The Government has been working particularly closely with the UK’s juxtaposed portals where the EES collection and verification are undertaken, along with the French Government on ensuring there are robust plans in place for EU implementation at these portals. This includes looking at additional Government funding to support these portals given the specific challenges they face.

The Department is working closely with the transport sector, as well as the haulage and logistics sectors, to ensure that they are prepared for EES, and will be engaging with their passengers and members to ensure awareness.

The Government has been working particularly closely with the UK’s juxtaposed portals where the EES collection and verification are undertaken, along with the French Government on ensuring there are robust plans in place for EU implementation at these portals. This includes looking at additional Government funding to support these portals given the specific challenges they face.

The Department for Transport has made no such assessment. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six, and was set up primarily to help older and disabled people. ENCTS costs around £1 billion annually and any changes to the minimum statutory scheme would need to be carefully considered for their impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

Local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations and extend free bus travel to other groups that are eligible under ENCTS, which includes children under the age of 16 and 16-18 year olds in full time education. However, these discretionary concessions are not funded by central government but by local authorities from local resources, such as council tax. Since 2010/11, almost all of the travel concession authorities in England have offered some form of discretionary concession. Bus operators are also able to provide discretionary concessions on a commercial basis.

Most bus services outside London are commercially operated. The Government recognises the importance of local bus services to helping communities stay connected and has announced over £4.5 billion to support and improve bus services since 2020. This includes over £2 billion to help local authorities deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) and make bus services more frequent, reliable, cheaper, and easier to use. Shropshire Council has been allocated £4.8 million to deliver its BSIP. Local authorities can use BSIP funding to target areas they believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage and revenues; helping to maintain service levels.

The Government also makes over £200 million available to bus operators every year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to help them maintain their networks. A further £42 million in BSOG funding is provided directly to local authorities to help subsidise socially necessary bus services that might otherwise be commercially unviable. Shropshire Council receives £512,447 of this funding every year.

The Government is also investing almost £600 million to deliver the £2 fare cap scheme in England, helping passengers save on their travel costs, and ultimately encouraging more people to use the bus.

The impact of His Majesty’s Passport Office no longer collecting digital signatures for passports on driving licence applications has been minimal. Around 70 per cent of driving licence renewal applications are made online.

The DVLA also has an online service which allows customers applying for a first provisional driving licence to upload their own digital photograph and signature. Customers using the DVLA’s renew a photocard licence service can also upload a new signature or use an existing one.

The DVLA is focused on delivering further improvements to enable even more customers to use its online services. The exact order of implementing service improvements will be based on where the DVLA can add the most value to customers.

Local authorities already have a statutory requirement to consult on all highways schemes, including for active travel, in line with existing legislation such as the Equality Act (2010) and Road Traffic Regulation Act (1984). Additionally, Active Travel Fund guidance is clear that all schemes must be developed in consultation with local communities to enable a range of views to be considered and given due regard.

The Department is proud to support innovation aimed at making transport more accessible for everyone, including deaf people. In July 2018 the Department published the Inclusive Transport Strategy. Its ambition is to create a transport system that provides equal access for disabled people by 2030 and includes a commitment to ensure future technology is designed inclusively and opportunities are sought to harness innovation.

Practical action includes the introduction of the accessible information regulations from October which will see improved audible and visible technology made a requirement for travel on local buses, supported by grant funding of £4.65m for small operator implementation costs. Almost £2m has been awarded to Transport Research Innovation Grants (TRIG) for small and medium sized enterprises and academia to solve accessibility challenges, including projects focused on improving information assistance for deaf people at railway stations. The First of a Kind (FOAK) programme, which promotes innovative new technologies on the railway network is funding three rail accessibility projects, aimed at improving the travel experience for people with hearing impairments. This includes projects aimed at converting travel information into British Sign Language (BSL) or subtitles through mobile phones or on-board information.

The Department has an active BSL communications working group, with BSL integrated into the It’s Everyone’s Journey inclusive transport campaign and the Air Passenger Travel Guide.

In 2023/24, Suffolk County Council received £35 million of capital funding from the Department for Transport, an increase of 30% compared to the previous financial year, with much of the additional funding made possible by the decision to reallocate funding from the HS2 programme. The Department asked all local highway authorities to publish a plan on how they intend to spend the additional funding being provided, and Suffolk County Council’s plan is available on its website.

Under the 1980 Highway Act, it is the responsibility of the local highway authority, in this case Suffolk County Council, to maintain and manage its highway network. The Department for Transport allocates capital funding to local highways authorities to enable them to maintain their highway networks, but decisions on how much of this, and how much of their other income, is spent mending potholes as opposed to maintaining other highway assets are entirely matters for them.