As set out at Spring Budget 2024, the government is considering the findings of the Office for Budget Responsibility\u2019s review of the original costing of the withdrawal of tax-free shopping, published in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 6 March, alongside industry representations and broader data.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Vere of Norbiton"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Vere of Norbiton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:42:57.907Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Tourism: VAT"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the negative impacts that the removal of tax-free shopping from the UK has had and will have for retail businesses across all sectors.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4884"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718973", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718973/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4755"} , {"_value" : "HL4756"} , {"_value" : "HL4757"} , {"_value" : "HL4758"} , {"_value" : "HL4759"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.663Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to deliver the reforms to category B driving licence flexibility proposed by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to reduce the barriers to using 4.25 tonne electric vans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4754"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718974", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718974/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4754"} , {"_value" : "HL4756"} , {"_value" : "HL4757"} , {"_value" : "HL4758"} , {"_value" : "HL4759"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.71Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current category B driving licence restrictions on uptake of 4.25 tonne electric vans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4755"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718975", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718975/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4754"} , {"_value" : "HL4755"} , {"_value" : "HL4757"} , {"_value" : "HL4758"} , {"_value" : "HL4759"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review MOT rules for 4.25 tonne electric vans to reduce barriers to using such vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4756"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718976", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718976/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4754"} , {"_value" : "HL4755"} , {"_value" : "HL4756"} , {"_value" : "HL4758"} , {"_value" : "HL4759"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.85Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of current MOT rules for 4.25 tonne electric vans on the uptake of such vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4757"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718977", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718977/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4754"} , {"_value" : "HL4755"} , {"_value" : "HL4756"} , {"_value" : "HL4757"} , {"_value" : "HL4759"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the applicability of EU drivers' hours rules to 4.25 tonne electric vans to reduce the barriers to using such vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4758"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718978", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1718978/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
To support the zero emission van market, the Government has already introduced regulatory flexibilities for electric vans by increasing the regulatory weight threshold from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes for driver licence and operator licence rules.<\/p>
The Department carried out a call-for-evidence on MOT testing last year, which, among other things, asked the public for views on changing MOT testing rules for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans. The findings have since been analysed and the Government published its response in January.<\/p>
Officials have continued to engage with industry on the issues of MOT testing, drivers\u2019 hours and tachographs for 3.5t-4.25t zero emission vans to understand how Government can remove barriers to decarbonisation for fleets. Safety is a primary consideration in assessing any changes to regulatory weight thresholds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4499", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Davies of Gower"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Davies of Gower"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL4754"} , {"_value" : "HL4755"} , {"_value" : "HL4756"} , {"_value" : "HL4757"} , {"_value" : "HL4758"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-24T11:50:23.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-05-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Electric Vehicles: Vans"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the applicability of EU drivers' hours rules to 4.25 tonne electric vans on the uptake of such vehicles.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4759"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715066", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business and Trade"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715066/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is securing improved market access for the food and agricultural sector, through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) but also the targeted removal of individual market access barriers in key international markets.<\/p>
The Department for Business and Trade are working hard to secure new, or improved, FTAs with a range of important trade partners around the world. Work also continues to ratify the agreements we have signed, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which should come into force later this year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4931", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Offord of Garvel"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Offord of Garvel"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-05-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-05-15T16:41:10.96Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "214"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business and Trade"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-04-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Agriculture: Trade Agreements"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to expedite the negotiation and ratification of trade deals benefiting the food and agricultural sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1744", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Waverley"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Viscount Waverley"} ], "uin" : "HL4250"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715067", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1715067/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government published the final Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 29 August 2023. It outlines new policies and processes that importers, the border industry and wider stakeholders including EU exporters will need to go through in order to import goods. We are implementing the BTOM in stages throughout 2024 to help industry get accustomed to the changes.<\/p>
We have worked extensively with small and medium enterprises to help us define and help them adapt to new controls and requirements. Since publishing the final BTOM, Defra\u2019s ongoing engagement has included regularly contacting 30,000 importers with up-to-date information, delivering over 50 webinars to thousands of businesses, providing bespoke training and working with HMRC to issue communication to 150,000 businesses in the UK.<\/p>
The risk-based model outlined in the BTOM supports businesses of all sizes by minimising costs and burdens for traders and consumers. For example, low-risk products of animal origin will not require an Export Health Certificate or routine border checks and medium risk goods will undergo reduced intervention at the border. We are also piloting new Trusted Trader schemes that will support groupage loads, which is how SMEs often transport their goods.<\/p>
All businesses will benefit from using the Single Trade Window, saving time and cost for traders. When fully operational, it will make better use of data and remove duplication to make it easier to trade internationally. This can also limit the requirement to use intermediaries and helps to support small businesses through the user interface on the platform. As the Single Trade Window develops, more information will be provided as to how SMEs can be involved and utilise the service.<\/p>