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To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of each ship in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the status is of each ship in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet.
The information requested is as follows and is accurate as of 12 February 2024. ‘Available’ is defined as ships not undergoing deep maintenance or preparing to undergo deep maintenance.
Class | Not Available | Available | Total |
RFA Tide Class Tanker | 2 | 2 | 4 |
RFA Wave Class Tanker | 2 | 0 | 2 |
RFA Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) | 0 | 3 | 3 |
RFA Primary Casualty Reception Facility | 0 | 1 | 1 |
RFA Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment | 1 | 0 | 1 |
RFA Offshore Support Vessel | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The normal operating cycle of every ship involves them entering different readiness levels depending on their programmes, periods of refit and Departmental planning requirements. To maintain operational security, these figures cannot be broken down into any further level of detail, however, I can confirm that these figures do include the new RFA Offshore Support Vessel class.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Due to the ongoing nature of Operation Prosperity Guardian and for reasons of operational security it would be inappropriate to release detailed costings at this time.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of replacing HMS Diamond with HMS Richmond in the Red Sea on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s capacity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of replacing HMS Diamond with HMS Richmond in the Red Sea on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s capacity.
HMS Richmond has now taken on the role of safeguarding shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden alongside other Royal Navy, UK & NATO Partners, as part of the UK's enduring commitment to ensuring Freedom of Navigation and maintaining security of global shipping lanes.
The Royal Navy and Royal Feet Auxiliary continue to meet all of their operational commitments at home and abroad, and we will continue to ensure we have the workforce, support arrangements and facilities required to maintain availability in the future.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian seafarer ratings have been trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year since 2016.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian seafarer ratings have been trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year since 2016.
Between 2016 and 2023, 706 seafarers were trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and there are no RFA seafarers currently serving on Operation Prosperity Guardian.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of employment rights of seafarers in the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of employment rights of seafarers in the (a) Royal Navy and (b) Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) strives to protect and support all of its seafarers. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) team of 1,700 are employed and administered in accordance with MOD Civil Service parameters, regularly expertly reviewed and subject to independent scrutiny. In addition, the RFA are proactively modernising their suite of policies to exceed the standards of the new Seafarer's Charter.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers have been deployed in Operation Prosperity Guardian.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers have been deployed in Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Between 2016 and 2023, 706 seafarers were trained by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), and there are no RFA seafarers currently serving on Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Q15
.
Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab):
In June 2022, to some fanfare, the Government announced the approval of £41 million for a package of works for the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, which is the route of the A167, the old A1, and connects Gateshead with Newcastle city centre. It is instantly recognisable around the world as an emblem of Tyneside. However, the funding is still awaiting sign-off within the Department for Transport and work cannot progress. Given the scale and complexity of the work required, and the significant additional cost implications if funding does not come forward, can we please have the money to get on with the work so that the bridge will be ready for its centenary celebrations in 2028?
Q15
.
Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab):
In June 2022, to some fanfare, the Government announced the approval of £41 million for a package of works for the restoration of the Tyne Bridge, which is the route of the A167, the old A1, and connects Gateshead with Newcastle city centre. It is instantly recognisable around the world as an emblem of Tyneside. However, the funding is still awaiting sign-off within the Department for Transport and work cannot progress. Given the scale and complexity of the work required, and the significant additional cost implications if funding does not come forward, can we please have the money to get on with the work so that the bridge will be ready for its centenary celebrations in 2028?
I will ensure that the relevant Minister gets back to the hon. Gentleman with an update on the project. I am pleased that we are not just investing in that project in his area. Following on from the previous question, I know his area has received levelling-up funding worth £20 million to help transform the visitor economy in Gateshead—yet another example of the Government investing to level up across the north and across the country.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17 January.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 17 January.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to invite representations from young people to help input their experiences into future transport policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to invite representations from young people to help input their experiences into future transport policy.
The Department is committed to ensuring that it meets the obligations set out in the Public Sector Equality Duty and give due consideration to the needs of groups with protected characteristics when developing policies and programmes. As part of this we are seeking to build our evidence base on the travel needs, behaviours and experiences of different groups, including those of different age cohorts.
LNER is going to consult again on altering the timetable to increase the frequency of trains from Edinburgh and Newcastle to London, but that inherently means a reduction in services to West Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside. That is
very sad, and it is bad for the northern economy. This is not a timetabling issue; it is a capacity issue on the east coast main line. Can we have some investment in the east coast main line, north of York, to remedy those problems?
LNER is going to consult again on altering the timetable to increase the frequency of trains from Edinburgh and Newcastle to London, but that inherently means a reduction in services to West Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside. That is
very sad, and it is bad for the northern economy. This is not a timetabling issue; it is a capacity issue on the east coast main line. Can we have some investment in the east coast main line, north of York, to remedy those problems?
As things stand, we are unable to operate that service because the trans-Pennine route upgrade, which is delivering the billions of pounds’ worth of investment to enhance the route that the hon. Member asks for, is currently being constructed. That will provide the bandwidth. As I mentioned, today we hope to get a decision from Transport for the North that will improve services and add an extra service north to south. Then, with the multi-billion pound investment in the trans-Pennine route upgrade, we will get east-west service improvements as well.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increases in the cost of transport on the levels of (a) unemployment and (b) productivity among 16-24 year olds.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increases in the cost of transport on the levels of (a) unemployment and (b) productivity among 16-24 year olds.
All children under 16 receive 50 per cent off all adult rail fares, and in 2019 we introduced the 16-17 Saver railcard, extending this to 16- and 17-year-olds, meaning that a 50 per cent discount is available to children throughout their period of compulsory education and training. For students aged 18 and above, including mature students over the age of 25 studying full-time, the 16-25 Railcard offers a third off most rail travel. We have also introduced the 26-30 Railcard, extending the 34 per cent discount to more young adults.
In England, the majority of bus services outside London operate on a commercial basis, and decisions about offering reduced or discounted fares for commercial bus services are predominantly for operators to take. Many bus operators currently offer discounted fares for younger people. Our most recent set of statistics shows by the end of March 2023, at least 20 travel concession authorities themselves and at least one commercial bus operator in 71 out of the 84 travel concession authority areas in England, outside London, offered some form of discounted travel for young people.
The Government introduced a £2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January 2023 until the end of 2024 to help passengers save on their regular travel costs. The Government has provided almost £600 million to support the scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) economic and (b) social impact of increases in the cost of transport on young people.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the (a) economic and (b) social impact of increases in the cost of transport on young people.
All children under 16 receive 50 per cent off all adult rail fares, and in 2019 we introduced the 16-17 Saver railcard, extending this to 16- and 17-year-olds, meaning that a 50 per cent discount is available to children throughout their period of compulsory education and training. For students aged 18 and above, including mature students over the age of 25 studying full-time, the 16-25 Railcard offers a third off most rail travel. We have also introduced the 26-30 Railcard, extending the 34 per cent discount to more young adults.
In England, the majority of bus services outside London operate on a commercial basis, and decisions about offering reduced or discounted fares for commercial bus services are predominantly for operators to take. Many bus operators currently offer discounted fares for younger people. Our most recent set of statistics shows by the end of March 2023, at least 20 travel concession authorities themselves and at least one commercial bus operator in 71 out of the 84 travel concession authority areas in England, outside London, offered some form of discounted travel for young people.
The Government introduced a £2 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January 2023 until the end of 2024 to help passengers save on their regular travel costs. The Government has provided almost £600 million to support the scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of pavement parking on levels of social isolation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of pavement parking on levels of social isolation.
The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments. Local authorities already have powers to restrict pavement parking, but the Department has consulted on additional measures to help councils tackle this problem. The Department has not had recent discussions with Gateshead Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.
That this House pays tribute to the commitment and dedication of the 1,700 civilian seafarers, including trainees, at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA); is concerned that nearly fifteen years of pay restraint is having a negative effect on recruitment, retention, training and industrial relations in the RFA; notes that inflation and pay restraint have effectively cut the value of RFA seafarers' pay by over thirty per cent since 2009-10; further notes that the number of RFA seafarers has fallen by twenty eight per cent since 2015 which compromises full and safe deployment of the RFA fleet; notes that RFA's thirteen ships support, re-supply and re-fuel the Royal Navy fleet on international deployment, combat drug trafficking and discharge the UK's humanitarian responsibilities following natural disasters; recognises the integral role that RFA crew play in maintaining the security and international interests of the UK and its maritime allies; highlights the RMT union's finding that nearly sixty per cent of RFA seafarers have worked for the RFA for over ten years; and calls on the Government to convene a forum with the recognised trade unions in the RFA to agree a fair pay award and wider reforms to prevent a crewing crisis at the RFA.
That this House pays tribute to the commitment and dedication of the 1,700 civilian seafarers, including trainees, at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA); is concerned that nearly fifteen years of pay restraint is having a negative effect on recruitment, retention, training and industrial relations in the RFA; notes that inflation...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of levels of support for a default pavement parking ban among the general public.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of levels of support for a default pavement parking ban among the general public.
The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments. Local authorities already have powers to restrict pavement parking, but the Department has consulted on additional measures to help councils tackle this problem. The Department has not had recent discussions with Gateshead Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Gateshead Council on the potential merits of prohibiting pavement parking in Gateshead.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Gateshead Council on the potential merits of prohibiting pavement parking in Gateshead.
The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments. Local authorities already have powers to restrict pavement parking, but the Department has consulted on additional measures to help councils tackle this problem. The Department has not had recent discussions with Gateshead Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle pavement parking in Gateshead constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to tackle pavement parking in Gateshead constituency.
The Department is fully aware that pavement parking can pose problems for pedestrians, particularly for people with sight or mobility impairments. Local authorities already have powers to restrict pavement parking, but the Department has consulted on additional measures to help councils tackle this problem. The Department has not had recent discussions with Gateshead Council, but the consultation was open to all local authorities.
That this House notes the Government funding settlement for the next five-year Railway Control Period 7 from 2024 to 2029 will result in a £1.2bn cut in Network Rail's budget for vital safety-critical railway infrastructure work compared to the previous five year period; further notes these cuts will fall on the renewal of track, signalling and other assets at a time of increased degradation of railway assets and structures, and that extreme weather events linked to climate change could lead to an increased risk of structural and earthwork failures similar to those that caused the Carmont rail disaster in 2020; is concerned that Network Rail's reduction in spend on railway renewals and an increased reliance on railway maintenance will lead to an increase in safety risks and a reduction in performance, including speed restrictions and 'go slows' and the loss of rail worker's jobs and skills which are needed for now and in the future; highlights that these cuts to infrastructure funding are part of Network Rail's drive under Government instruction to make efficiency savings; believes these rail cuts are a false economy that will increase economic inefficiencies within the railway and wider economy; and calls on the Government to reverse the £1.2bn cut in renewals and instead protect rail safety, services and jobs delivering efficiencies through reducing fragmentation and moving to a unified, integrated and publicly owned railway.
That this House notes the Government funding settlement for the next five-year Railway Control Period 7 from 2024 to 2029 will result in a £1.2bn cut in Network Rail's budget for vital safety-critical railway infrastructure work compared to the previous five year period; further notes these cuts will fall on...
Q11
.
Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab):
The north- east has been underfunded in terms of transport investment for decades. HS2, which was meant to be an economic development and connectivity lifeline, is now not coming anywhere near, the A1 Northumberland dualling decision has been delayed yet again, and our regional rail services are still running on outdated infrastructure and rolling stock.
With all that in mind, will the Prime Minister commit the funding to reopen the Leamside line from Gateshead to County Durham to take pressure off the east coast main line and aid economic wellbeing and the movement of passengers and freight services in the north-east of England? Or is levelling-up just rhetoric?
Q11
.
Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab):
The north- east has been underfunded in terms of transport investment for decades. HS2, which was meant to be an economic development and connectivity lifeline, is now not coming anywhere near, the A1 Northumberland dualling decision has been delayed yet again, and our regional rail services are still running on outdated infrastructure and rolling stock.
With all that in mind, will the Prime Minister commit the funding to reopen the Leamside line from Gateshead to County Durham to take pressure off the east coast main line and aid economic wellbeing and the movement of passengers and freight services in the north-east of England? Or is levelling-up just rhetoric?
Obviously, it would not be right for me to comment on specific projects, but to give the hon. Gentleman a sense of our commitment, what I can tell him is that in real terms since 2010 we have spent over a third more in central capital investment in northern transport every single year compared with Labour’s last six years in government. That is what we are doing for northern transportation. Specifically, when it comes to reopening and restoring railway lines, where was the first one that we did? From Ashington to Blyth.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 6 September.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 6 September.