Transport Secretary Grant Shapps taking your calls on @LBC now....
He says he hopes private tests after five days for holiday makers is the "first of many steps".
Adds that as more tests become available the price will probably "drop quite quickly".
He says he hopes private tests after five days for holiday makers is the "first of many steps".
Adds that as more tests become available the price will probably "drop quite quickly".
First caller Louise tells Mr Shapps that the airline industry has been "devastated".
Why has it taken so long for today's announcement?
Mr Shapps says Govt couldn't take test capacity away from doctors.
Adds it's been complicated to prove tests after five days work.
Why has it taken so long for today's announcement?
Mr Shapps says Govt couldn't take test capacity away from doctors.
Adds it's been complicated to prove tests after five days work.
Mr Shapps tells @LBC that having spoken to his opposite numbers in France and Germany, he discovered that a "day-zero" test on landing just didn't work.
Chief exec at Heathrow John Holland-Kaye asks why his airport doesn't get relief on business rates, while smaller airports do.
Mr Shapps comes back and says offering relief for smaller airports is exactly what Mr H-K asked for in a private phone call two weeks ago.
Mr Shapps comes back and says offering relief for smaller airports is exactly what Mr H-K asked for in a private phone call two weeks ago.
"I do not support MPs getting a pay rise. I personally will give any pay rise to charity," Mr Shapps says.
"MPs salaries are not decided by MPs. I don't support MPs getting pay rises if the rest of the public sector aren't."
"MPs salaries are not decided by MPs. I don't support MPs getting pay rises if the rest of the public sector aren't."
On HS2, Mr Shapps admits railway cuts through "swathes" of countryside, and it will see ancient woodlands destroyed.
But there'll be a net increase of seven million trees.
Can't say when leg from Birmingham to Leeds will happen. "I don't have dates for you right now."
But there'll be a net increase of seven million trees.
Can't say when leg from Birmingham to Leeds will happen. "I don't have dates for you right now."
Next up Julia in Barnes, angry about Hammersmith Bridge, which is shut but has no prospect of being repaired at the moment.
Grant Shapps: "Everyone wants it done but nobody wants to pay for it."
Ferry won't be in place until new year.
Grant Shapps: "Everyone wants it done but nobody wants to pay for it."
Ferry won't be in place until new year.
When will the travel ban to the US be lifted?
Mr Shapps says he is working with US authorities to get the ban lifted in time for the Presidential inauguration.
"The restriction is not something on our side. It was the Trump administration."
Mr Shapps says he is working with US authorities to get the ban lifted in time for the Presidential inauguration.
"The restriction is not something on our side. It was the Trump administration."
Transport Secretary says Matt Hancock was advised to buy 30 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine but actually bought 100 million doses.
Department for Transport created a £250 million fund to make it roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
He says some schemes have been "very poorly" designed, particularly in London.
He says it's important Sadiq Khan and TfL consults properly with the emergency services.
He says some schemes have been "very poorly" designed, particularly in London.
He says it's important Sadiq Khan and TfL consults properly with the emergency services.
He says the Government is looking at allowing recovery vehicles to have red lights as drivers are more likely to slow down or stop.
On electric cars "Range anxiety" is a thing, Mr Shapps says. He felt it when he first got an electric car.
But actually he says he doesn't have to charge his car at home now because there are so many charge points.
But actually he says he doesn't have to charge his car at home now because there are so many charge points.
New Year Eve's celebrations in London?
Shapps: wait for guidelines.
Carol Concerts?
"Unlikely".
Shapps: wait for guidelines.
Carol Concerts?
"Unlikely".
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