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Departmental Travel

Volume 469: debated on Tuesday 11 December 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to reduce the amount of travel her officials undertake. (168680)

The Department for Transport and its agencies have policies in place which require officials to consider alternative communication methods, such as video and teleconferencing, before deciding to travel, and then to travel only when strictly necessary. The Department has introduced a sustainable travel policy which requires officials to plan their travel effectively considering not only economy, but also environmental impact in choice of travel mode.

Across the wider Department further initiatives to reduce business travel and its impact are being introduced. These include car and lift sharing schemes, national travel plans and reductions in travel budget targets.

Measures are also being introduced to reduce the impact of commuting including flexible and remote working and cycle to work schemes.