Category: Travel

The DfT says Leicester, the Isle of Wight, Torbay, Southend, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to receive “unprecedented” levels of funding….reports Asian Lite News

Almost £1bn in funding will go to delivering London-style buses across England as part of a massive Budget boost, the government has promised. The Department for Transport (DfT) has given more details on its plans for 2025 after announcing the funding last month. 

It has promised to deliver what it calls “London-style” services to every corner of the country, and said funding would be allocated based on levels of deprivation and population, instead of making areas compete for investment as it has in previous years. 

The DfT says Leicester, the Isle of Wight, Torbay, Southend, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to receive “unprecedented” levels of funding. In urban areas, some of the biggest allocations are being given to combined authorities representing South Yorkshire and the Liverpool City Region. 

In total, there will be £712m for local authorities to improve services, alongside a further £243m for bus operators. About 3.4 million people in England travel regularly by bus, making it the most commonly used mode of public transport. 

Local authorities in all English regions will be able to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial routes, the DfT says. It added the money will allow more urban areas to maintain high levels of service. Meanwhile, rural communities and small towns will be able to offer more services. 

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme the funding would “vastly improve” the reliability and frequency of services, particularly in rural areas. The announcement comes ahead of the Buses Bill, which aims to give local transport authorities across England new powers to take control of bus services. 

Under the plans, local authorities would be allowed to introduce a London-style franchising system, meaning they can decide routes, timetables and fares, with operators bidding to run the services for a fixed fee. 

The government has also pledged to remove a ban on publicly owned bus companies. An extra £151m will also fund a cap in single bus fares outside London, which rose to £3 last month, until the end of 2025. 

The Liberal Democrats have called for the government to U-turn on the decision to raise the cap, with the party saying it will hit both commuters and local businesses. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said on Friday: “The fare cap increase is like a bus tax for people across the country, impacting bus users and commuters already struggling to make ends meet. 

“MPs must be given a say on this bus fare hike on behalf of their constituents.” Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon said: “Labour have chosen to increase bus fares by 50% in a further attack on rural communities, working people and pensioners. 

“They didn’t have the courage to tell people their plans in the election. This is another broken promise that raises costs on working people.” But the DfT said the fare cap introduced by the previous Conservative government was due to expire at the end of 2024 and some fares would have soared unless it intervened. 

“Fares will only be allowed to increase with inflation in the normal way, and the £3 bus fare cap will lead to savings of up to 80% on some routes, keeping bus tickets affordable across the country,” it said. 

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Mr Tan Dhesi, Slough MP, emphasized the transformative impact this link would have on local residents by providing a direct rail route to Heathrow…reports Asian Lite News

In a display of cross-party support, MPs and Peers gathered this week in Parliament to back the long-anticipated Western Rail Link to Heathrow, a rail project set to significantly improve connectivity to the UK’s busiest airport.  

Mr Tan Dhesi, Slough MP, emphasized the transformative impact this link would have on local residents by providing a direct rail route to Heathrow without the need to travel through central London. 

During an Inaugural General Meeting, Parliament re-established the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Western Rail Link to Heathrow, assembling a coalition of MPs and Peers committed to advancing the project. The APPG is pushing for progress on the link, which has been backed by the government since 2012. The 4-mile connection would branch off the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver, creating a vital link from the Thames Valley directly to Heathrow Airport. 

Supporters of the rail project argue that it would deliver multiple benefits: shorter journey times, a regular service with four trains in each direction per hour, and significant reductions in road congestion on routes leading to Heathrow. By easing passenger loads on busy roads, the link would also contribute to environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, proponents believe the new route would generate economic growth across the region, creating new opportunities for both businesses and residents. 

Tan Dhesi, co-chair of the APPG, voiced his optimism:  “Brilliant to see so much cross-party support again in Parliament for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow. As Parliamentarians representing and living in constituencies across the UK, we know the huge economic and environmental benefits our constituents would experience, since it would connect 20% of Brits to within one interchange of our nation’s main port. I look forward to the progress we will make this year to help deliver this vital infrastructure project.” 

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Millions of UK Visa Holders Urged to Switch to eVisa as Immigration System Digitises…reports Asian Lite News

The British government has launched a major initiative urging millions of visa holders who rely on physical immigration documents to switch to a digital eVisa system. This marks a significant step in the government’s wider ambition to fully digitise the UK’s border and immigration system. The shift aims to enhance security, improve efficiency, and offer greater convenience for visa holders living in the UK.

The call to action affects visa holders across the UK who currently use biometric residence permits (BRPs), passport visa vignette stickers, ink stamps, or biometric residence cards (BRCs) to prove their immigration status. Many of these physical documents, particularly BRPs, are set to expire in December 2024, adding urgency to the government’s message. Visa holders are encouraged to transition to the eVisa system before their physical documents become invalid.

Minister for Migration & Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, underscored the importance of acting now, stating, “Everyone with physical immigration documents is urged to take action now to switch to an eVisa, and I want to reassure those who need it that free advice and support is available.”

This move is a cornerstone of the government’s plan to modernise the UK’s immigration system, with eVisas gradually replacing physical documentation for most new visa customers from autumn 2024. By 2025, the majority of existing visa holders will have transitioned to the digital system.

Why Switch to eVisa?

The transition from physical immigration documents to eVisas brings several key advantages for visa holders and the UK immigration system as a whole. One of the most significant benefits is the added security. Unlike physical documents, which can be lost, stolen, or tampered with, an eVisa exists digitally, making it more secure and harder to forge. Visa holders will be able to instantly and securely prove their immigration status through the digital platform.

Additionally, the eVisa system offers greater convenience. It eliminates the need to carry physical documents or worry about their upkeep, and provides immediate access to immigration status information when needed. This shift also reduces costs associated with replacing lost or damaged physical documents. Importantly, the switch to an eVisa will not affect or change a person’s current immigration status or rights; it simply replaces the physical documentation with a digital proof.

Recognising that some individuals may face challenges in transitioning from physical documents to a digital format, the UK government has committed up to £4 million in grant funding to provide assistance, particularly for vulnerable visa holders. This funding will support a UK-wide network of voluntary and community organisations that will offer independent, free assistance during the transition.

Four national organisations have been confirmed as the primary recipients of this funding: Migrant Help, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Welsh Refugee Council, and Advice NI. These organisations are now providing immediate support to vulnerable individuals across the UK who may need help accessing their eVisa. Additionally, dozens of smaller community-based organisations will join this network over the coming weeks, offering localised support to those who require assistance. Details of these organisations and how to access their services will be published on gov.uk.

The support available will help those who may not be familiar with the digital process or who face language or technological barriers. Vulnerable groups, such as elderly migrants or individuals with disabilities, will have access to dedicated resources to ensure they can smoothly transition to the eVisa system without losing access to their immigration rights.

In conjunction with the launch of the eVisa system, the government will be rolling out a targeted national advertising campaign in autumn 2024. The campaign will aim to raise awareness of the need for visa holders to take action and switch to eVisas. It will build on existing communications efforts and is designed to reach those who may not yet be aware of the change.

The advertising campaign will be seen across various media platforms, including television, radio, print, and online channels. The government’s aim is to ensure that all affected visa holders are fully informed and able to make the switch before their physical documents expire. The Home Office will continue to provide updates and reminders, ensuring no one is left behind in the transition.

Visa holders who currently rely on BRPs, vignette stickers, ink stamps, or BRCs are encouraged to take immediate action by visiting gov.uk/eVisa. The process to switch to an eVisa is simple, straightforward, and free of charge. Individuals can create a UKVI account, upload their current visa details, and obtain digital proof of their immigration status in just a few steps.

The government is particularly encouraging BRP holders to make the switch before their documents expire in December 2024. While expired BRPs can still be used to create a UKVI account and access the eVisa system, it is recommended that individuals transition to the digital system before expiration to avoid any potential disruptions or delays.

The eVisa is not only a practical solution for visa holders but also a crucial step in the government’s broader vision of a fully digital border and immigration system. The new system promises to streamline immigration processes, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance security across the UK’s borders.

With the digitisation of immigration documents, the government aims to create a more efficient and secure immigration system that meets the needs of both the UK and those who live and work within its borders. The transition to eVisas represents a significant milestone in this journey, benefiting both visa holders and the broader immigration system alike.

For more information on the transition to eVisas, the support available, and how to make the switch, visa holders are urged to visit gov.uk/eVisa.

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