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Buses: Funding
17 May 2023
Lead MP
Richard Holden
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyTaxationTransport
Other Contributors: 37
At a Glance
Richard Holden raised concerns about buses: funding in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister announced steps to maintain access to public transport in light of cost-of-living pressures. The UK government has already invested £3 billion over the past three years in bus services outside London, but with patronage recovering from as low as 10% during the pandemic to around 90%, a new approach is required to support the sector's recovery and affordability for users. The Minister outlined an additional investment of £600 million over two years (£300 million per year) until April 2025, with half allocated through BSIP+ (Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus) to local transport authorities and the other half via a new Bus Operator Grant Plus mechanism supporting operators. Additionally, there is a continuation of the 'Get Around for £2' bus scheme nationwide, extended until October 31st 2023, followed by a cap at £2.50 from November until review in late 2024. The Minister highlighted that this investment forms part of a long-term vision to improve connectivity and economic growth while addressing the cost-of-living crisis.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gedling
Question
What is being done to ensure that bus services are maintained in rural and remote areas where there may be no alternative mode of transport?
Minister reply
The minister emphasised the importance of ensuring vital routes remain operational, particularly in areas without alternatives. The Government's announcement includes £300 million over two years specifically aimed at protecting such services until April 2025, alongside measures to support operators and local authorities.
Fiona Bruce
Con
Congleton
Question
How will the new funding announced today be distributed among different regions of England?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that £160 million would go to local transport authorities through BSIP+, targeting areas previously underserved, while another £140 million is allocated to operators via a Bus Service Operators Grant Plus mechanism. This distribution aims to support services across the country and empower local decision-making.
Louise Haigh
Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Question
The MP questioned the Minister's commitment to improving bus services across the UK. She cited examples of reduced service frequency and criticised the funding as inadequate compared to previous recovery rounds, indicating a significant cut in support. The shadow Secretary of State also highlighted specific cases where individuals were adversely affected by poor bus services.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that Labour was not paying attention to the progress already made in their areas, including £570 million for South Yorkshire and over £1 billion for Greater Manchester. He emphasised extending the £2 bus fare scheme for low-income individuals and criticised Labour's approach as overly ideological.
Iain Stewart
Con
Milton Keynes
Question
The MP welcomed the announcement, noting it aligns with recommendations from the Transport Committee’s report on national bus strategy. He asked for assurances that officials would work closely with local authorities to design effective new bus strategies.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the support and pledged to collaborate with local authorities in designing and delivering enhanced partnerships or franchising as needed. He highlighted funding benefits for Milton Keynes, including £654,000 from the Bus Service Improvement Plan this year.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Question
Welcomes the announcement on fares but criticises the DFT for lagging behind in bus infrastructure investment compared to Scotland. Questions the validity of UK Government's claim about 4,000 zero-emission buses for England outside London, noting that nearly a fifth are funded by the Scottish Government. Asks if the Minister will unlock the logjam in the ZEBRA scheme and confirm subjecting all spending from this announcement to Barnett consequentials.
Minister reply
Claims the funding is within DFT budget without additional taxpayer money. Notes Scotland's limited free bus travel policy and mentions their failure in addressing a 'crisis of buses'. Indicates no match for SNP's £2 fare cap across Scotland. Acknowledges Scottish Government’s initiative but implies criticism.
Tracey Crouch
Con
Medway
Question
Welcomes the funding for Kent and Medway, asks when the money will be allocated to local authorities and operators to plan ahead for the next academic year.
Minister reply
Acknowledges extra support for Medway (£761k) and Kent (£2.3 million). Indicates multiple millions of pounds available for vital services in their constituencies. Will provide a detailed letter on cash allocation tranches.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Question
Highlights importance of bus services to her constituency, questions if this funding is sufficient and how many services are willing to be lost.
Minister reply
Acknowledges £163 million BSIP funding for the north-east with £117 million already received. Confirms more money will come from future schemes. Mentions that some routes will need change but new funding will help sustainability.
Jack Brereton
Con
Stafford
Question
Welcomes investment in buses and asks Stoke-on-Trent City Council to deliver on their plans.
Minister reply
Acknowledges £31.6 million funding for Stoke-on-Trent and mentions additional support from BSOG plus.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Warrington South
Question
Highlights issues in his constituency with cancelled buses, non-turning up services, short notice of depot closures. Inquires about Cheshire West and Chester's eligibility for bus service improvement plan investment.
Minister reply
Confirms £2.4 million funding for both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils to help with local bus services.
Edward Timpson
Con
Crewe and Nantwich
Question
Welcomes investment in Cheshire, asks if this is an opportunity to evolve bus services to meet population needs including rural areas.
Minister reply
Agrees on considering further innovative schemes such as demand-responsive buses.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Welcomes extension of bus fare cap but notes 1,100 services cuts including in her constituency. Asks if the Minister will remove ban on local authorities running their own bus services.
Minister reply
Notes long-term funding improvements in West of England Combined Authority area and Bath, willing to consider further developments.
Heather Wheeler
Con
South Derbyshire
Question
May I put on record my thanks for the £47 million that Derbyshire has already been given for bus services? Will my hon. Friend explain a little more about the benefits of how that £47 million will be used, particularly in South Derbyshire?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend. She is right to say that Derbyshire was one council area that got a significant amount of funding in the initial bus service improvement plan allocations. That will be used to help improve bus services, and I reassure her that that funding is flexible and able to meet needs as they change following the pandemic, and changing patterns of travel. I also reassure her that in addition to that money, all her constituents will benefit from the extension to the £2 fare cap, and the £2.50 fare cap. Bus operators across her constituency will also benefit from the BSOG.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
I welcome any increase in funding, however inadequate. The Minister mentioned Ukraine and covid—of course he has—but the reality in South Yorkshire is that bus journeys have fallen by 50% since this Government came to power in 2010... Will he tell us by what percentage bus journeys are expected to rise by April 2025; or will the measures simply slow the decline that has been taking place for the past 13 years?
Minister reply
I am glad the hon. Gentleman welcomed the more than £3 million extra, on top of the £570 million we have already awarded to the city region, the major £44 million regeneration for South Yorkshire’s transport system that we announced, the £16 million for a planned fleet of electric buses for Sheffield and South Yorkshire, and the £8.4 million of ZEBRA funding... We are providing the funding, and it is up to local leaders to decide what they do with it.
Alun Cairns
Con
Vale of Clwyd
Question
Investing in bus services and protecting routes is obviously a priority for the UK Government... Will the Minister join me in campaigning to challenge the Welsh Government to follow what the UK Government are doing in England, so that my constituents are not exposed in the way they are?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend will know that there is currently a total cliff edge in Wales on 24 July—no plans for the future; no long-term plan, such as that in England with two years of extra funding; no £2 bus fare... We need proper long-term investment.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
A cap on fares is not much use if a bus does not turn up. The Minister even stated on his social media this week that people in County Durham need access to a car or a van to get around... Does he believe that he is improving bus service reliability if providers are slashing routes and services?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for her interest in my local social media posts... We are putting in investment that the Labour party never did, and when she looks at the moneys going into Go North East and Arriva North East over the next few weeks, she will see how much they are getting and how that should benefit local users across the great county of Durham.
Paul Howell
Con
Saffron Walden
Question
I welcome today’s announcement... A survey has just gone out in Trimdon that suggests that accessibility is a much bigger issue than cost. Will the Minister continue to work with me to try to find better solutions and different ways of doing this, to get people the access to leisure or work that they deserve?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right about accessibility... On top of that there is more money to come, and the £2 bus scheme announced today.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
The reality, though, is that taxpayers today are paying much more than they have ever done for a smaller bus network... When will he finally get to grips with the bus operators who play the system?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will be fully aware that this Conservative Government have already allocated £94.8 million to Greater Manchester through the bus service improvement plans, on top of £1 billion to Greater Manchester for the city region sustainable transport settlement... I look forward to working with him and any other local authorities that wish to move in that direction.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
Extending the £2 cap is welcome. Does my hon. Friend agree that as well as price, frequency of service is vital and that, thanks to the £50 million granted to Norfolk County Council, there are now more buses going to Castle Rising, Grimston and other parts of North West Norfolk? There is also a travel hub coming to Hunstanton, and there will also be new bus lanes.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for mentioning Norfolk... I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising Norfolk, where there has been a really proactive county council driving forward bus service improvements as well as improving its road network.
Darren Jones
Lab
Bristol North West
Question
Since 1 March, my constituents have been logging their daily experiences of bus services in my Bristol North West bus survey. Since then we have had over 200 reports of so-called ghost buses: buses that are timetabled but never turn up... What in the Minister’s statement will stop that from happening?
Minister reply
The key thing is that we have provided tens of millions of pounds a year for the next few years for bus service operators right across the country. While the Opposition bang on with their ideological battles about who owns the services, I am interested in getting services delivered for the people... I have already said to the hon. Member, as I have said to all the Metro Mayors I have managed to speak to today, that I am willing to look at their bus service improvement plans and to be flexible with them if they want to change how they are operating things.
Truro and Falmouth
Question
Thanked the Minister for his statement, highlighted the success of the bus scheme in Cornwall saving £5 million a year, increasing sales, helping users get back into work, reducing loneliness, and supporting local businesses. Asked the minister to thank all officers at Cornwall Council involved.
Minister reply
Thanked Cherilyn Mackrory for mentioning Cornwall's example; praised the council’s initial £13.5 million BSIP investment with additional £2 million from extra allocation; encouraged Opposition Members to emulate Cornwall in delivering enhanced partnerships.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Question
Criticised bus service cuts of nearly 16% in her region, highlighted the power imbalance between operators and local communities, and questioned whether Labour's plans would better control bus services.
Minister reply
Rejected Labour’s approach as lacking a funding plan; emphasised support given to Greater Manchester with over £2.1 billion in transport funding; invited collaboration on devolution models.
Sherwood
Question
Asked the Minister to confirm that without the fare cap, some fares could have risen to about £6 each, instead of being capped at £2 and benefiting rural areas.
Minister reply
Confirmed Clarke-Smith’s point; highlighted additional BSIP funding for Nottinghamshire County Council (£1.2 million) along with support to local bus operators.
Barnsley South
Question
Asked if the announcement would mean more buses in Barnsley.
Minister reply
Replied that decisions on increasing bus services lie with the Mayor of South Yorkshire.
Robin Millar
Con
Erewash
Question
Welcomed the announcement but highlighted a cliff edge for operators in Wales, estimated 15% routes at risk, and asked the Minister to press Welsh Government for additional funding.
Minister reply
Praised England’s support for buses; criticised ideological approach in Wales with increased costs from changing speed limits; encouraged other UK parts to follow English model.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
Asked if the money going to West of England Combined Authority would allow the metro Mayor to spend it on restoring lost bus services.
Minister reply
Confirmed flexibility in spending cash from local bus service operators; offered support for discussions with metro Mayors.
Andy Carter
Con
Warrington South
Question
Welcomed the extension to £2 capped fare, highlighted Warrington Borough Council’s delayed order of zero-emission buses and urged the Minister to press them.
Minister reply
Pledged to work closely with Andy Carter; supported local council's actions for delivering services.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Question
Asked when more local councils will be allowed to run their own bus companies and about franchising.
Minister reply
Suggested working with local authorities based on what works for the area; invited collaboration on delivering services without ideological constraints.
Dean Russell
Con
Watford
Question
Welcomed measures to improve buses, praised visit to Watford, proposed a Bill ensuring bus users are consulted when timetable changes are planned.
Minister reply
Confirmed additional £29.7 million for Hertfordshire; encouraged operators to inform service users about any proposed changes.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Question
Welcomes the Minister's statement, noting cuts in bus services and low concessionary fares paid by Shropshire Council. Asks how councils can be supported to increase concessionary fares and improve local services.
Minister reply
Confirms the £2 bus fare is operating nationwide with additional concessionary fares for retired and disabled people. Shropshire will receive £1.5 million in BSOG funding to support local bus services.
Question
Welcomes the extension of the £2 fare cap and additional funding for Darlington, urges Arriva North East to improve service reliability.
Minister reply
Reaffirms commitment to working with local operators to support bus services. Tees Valley Combined Authority will receive an additional £1.53 million in BSOG funding.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
Highlights halving of bus services since 2009-10, declining passenger confidence due to First Bus's poor service. Requests the Minister visit Stoke-on-Trent and hold a summit on creating a north Staffordshire transport authority.
Minister reply
Agrees to visit Stoke-on-Trent soon and speaks positively about the additional £31.5 million for bus improvement plans in Stoke-on-Trent.
Marco Longhi
Con
Dudley South
Question
Appreciates the £2 fare cap, questions potential timetabling issues and seeks assurance on support from Mayor Andy Street.
Minister reply
Promises to raise concerns with Mayor Andy Street about potential gaming in bus timetabling. Confirms additional funding for Dudley Council.
Paul Bristow
Con
Peterborough
Question
Thanks the Minister for the £2 fare cap, expresses interest in starting electrification of bus services in Peterborough, seeks continued support.
Minister reply
Acknowledges visit to Peterborough and provides additional funding of £2.3 million to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
James Daly
Con
Rochdale
Question
Highlights the success of the £2 fare cap in connecting Accrington, Rossendale, Darwen, Ramsbottom, and central Manchester.
Minister reply
Welcomes the connectivity provided by the £2 fare cap and looks forward to seeing him on the X43 bus route.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
West Penwith
Question
Complains of missed visits, notes 16-18 year-olds' free travel issue, and urges for more demand responsive transport schemes.
Minister reply
Expresses sympathy on 16-18 year-olds' travel costs but cites Department for Education's jurisdiction. Announces an additional £1.7 million to Devon County Council.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Notes disappearance of bus services affecting elderly residents and town centres, seeks advice on lobbying local authorities.
Minister reply
Confirms Hampshire County Council will receive £3.6 million for local bus services and encourages partnership models to improve service.
Shadow Comment
Louise Haigh
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary criticised the Conservative Government's failure to meet its promises regarding bus services, noting that despite pledges for improvement, there are now fewer buses on the road than at any time in recent history. The Labour Party outlined plans to give communities more control over public transport routes and fares through local decision-making powers, aiming to address the decline in services caused by Conservative policies. Labour emphasised its commitment to reversing the managed decline of bus networks and providing transformative change compared to what they termed as 'tinkering around the edges' from the current government.
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