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Rail Investment and Integrated Rail Plan
08 December 2021
Lead MP
Louise Haigh
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TransportDemocracy & ElectionsBenefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 44
At a Glance
Louise Haigh raised concerns about rail investment and integrated rail plan in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The motion recognises the importance of rail investment to the UK economy, particularly new lines linking Yorkshire, North West, North East and Midlands. It regrets the Government’s decision not to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail in full and calls on the Government to deliver the promised northern rail investment before January 2022. The benefits include over 150,000 jobs created and connecting millions of people across industrial heartlands. Without these investments, capacity is reduced for local services and freight, and trust in government is eroded.
Louise Haigh
Lab
Sheffield Heeley
The shadow Transport Secretary criticises the Government's decision to scale back Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2. She emphasises missed opportunities for investment, growth and business in the north, including increased productivity of 6%. The plan is seen as a betrayal that leaves communities in the slow lane with less capacity and local services.
Barnsley South
Supports her colleague's stance on the negative impact of the Government’s decision, highlighting the worsening conditions for commuters in Barnsley due to overcrowded trains.
Asks if Labour would build the 2b arm of HS2 through Rother Valley if they were in power.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Critiques the Government's perceived attempt to 'level down' London while cutting jobs there, despite claims of levelling up for the north.
Hilary Benn
Lab
Leeds South
Expresses frustration over the cancellation of Northern Powerhouse Rail and the eastern leg of HS2, suggesting that a plan already existed which was not delivered upon by the Government.
Vicky Foxcroft
Lab
Lewisham North
Condemns the lack of funding for TfL, warning of bus route cuts and reduced accessibility in London, contradicting the Government's claims to level up infrastructure.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Accuses the Prime Minister of breaking promises and condemning Bradfordians to a low-growth economy by scrapping Northern Powerhouse Rail plans.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Points out repeated broken promises regarding electrification projects, noting delays from previous deadlines set during the Labour period.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Discusses disappointment over reduced capacity through Manchester city centre, with a £4 billion cut to plans for high-speed underground stations.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Sheffield, Heeley
Noted that many colleagues want to contribute and a time limit of four minutes will be set.
Welcomed the new shadow Transport Secretary and outlined the Government's reforming vision for rail infrastructure, including reversing Beeching cuts, restoring lines, setting out an integrated rail plan worth £96 billion, and emphasising the benefits of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. He also addressed criticisms from opposition members about delays and disruptions.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Critiqued the Government for reforming its manifesto post-election, noting that people in Chesterfield were promised HS2 but instead received slower services and years of delays.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Questioned whether upgrading existing lines is more disruptive for passengers than building new ones, and asked the Secretary of State to retract a statement made on the radio about car drivers being upset by potential works.
Asked the Secretary of State to commit to using British steel in the construction of all new rail lines for economic benefits.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Requested a chance to speak but was not given it by the Secretary of State.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Inquired about the high speed line joining the midland main line at East Midlands Parkway and questioned whether this would deprive Nottingham and other cities in the east midlands of improved connectivity and faster journey times.
Asked if projects announced by the Secretary of State will result in full Barnett consequentials for Wales, given that HS2 was deemed an England and Wales project previously.
Requested a chance to speak but was not given it by the Secretary of State.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Asked about conversations with colleagues in the north regarding 43,000 jobs at risk due to lack of emergency funding for Transport for London, and questioned why there is neglect towards transport systems in London.
Paula Barker
Lab
Liverpool Wavertree
The Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotherham, criticised the Treasury's decision to roll out a 'cheap and nasty option' for HS2. The hon. Member questioned whether this was indeed the case.
Acknowledged that smaller towns like Bramley, Wales and Aston in Rother Valley would benefit from the revised plan as it avoided bulldozing through these areas to destroy 400 homes. Asked for an update on when safeguarding around the route would be lifted.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Agreed with his right hon. Friend, suggesting that Labour's pledge on HS2 can be added to its list of uncosted spending commitments expected from the British taxpayer without a plan for funding.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Challenged the Secretary of State, pointing out that his predecessors committed to full delivery of HS2 which would deliver direct economic benefits to smaller towns. He argued this was a shortfall in the current plan.
Lucy Powell
Lab Co-op
Manchester Central
Disagreed with what the Secretary of State had said, but no further details were provided in the snippet.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Welcomes the new Member for Sheffield, Heeley; criticises the UK Government's broken promises regarding High Speed 2 (HS2); highlights the lack of genuine action from the Department for Transport despite numerous reports and plans; contrasts Denmark’s ambitious rail infrastructure projects with the UK's inaction; argues that Scotland and Wales should receive full Barnett consequentials from HS2 spending to improve connectivity; criticises London-centric funding allocation which exacerbates inequalities between regions; emphasises the importance of decarbonisation in modernising rail networks.
Made a point of order regarding the time taken by the Scottish National party spokesman.
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Sheffield Central
Responded to the point of order, stating that the SNP spokesperson was coming to an imminent conclusion.
Asked if a statement would take place in the House before the Prime Minister’s press conference at 6 pm, to allow Members to ask questions on behalf of their constituents.
Andrew Jones
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Agreed with recognising the importance of rail investment but disagreed with the motion's claims about the Government not delivering high-speed rail, electrification etc. Emphasised that £96 billion is a major investment in rail and pointed out the improvements to existing lines, such as increased capacity and improved journey times for cities like Leeds and York. Criticised Labour’s record on electrification and supported the current government's approach.
Addressed the impact of the new rail proposals on the Liverpool city region, highlighting negative environmental impacts and economic consequences due to increased road journeys and loss of freight trains. Criticised the proposal for minimal journey time improvements and capacity gains compared to the Northern Powerhouse Rail option. Suggested meeting with metro Mayors to find a compromise.
Paul Maynard
Con
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Disagreed with the criticising of the Government's rail investment plans, arguing that the integrated rail plan is a necessary response to the political problem of unrealistic ambition in rail projects. He highlighted the £96 billion investment as a significant move forward for Britain’s railway network.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Asked Paul Maynard about the decision to reverse the previous decision to cancel the electrification of the midland main line, questioning whether this showed a lack of proper strategy for delivering net zero and efficient rail investment.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Critiqued the Government's decision to scrap the eastern leg of HS2 as a betrayal, highlighting the need for both conventional system upgrades and high-speed intercity connections. He emphasised the importance of promised rail improvements such as direct rail services from Middlesbrough to London and the expansion of electrified rail.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
The plan, while initially promising, has been compromised and now leaves cities like Sheffield disconnected from high-speed links to Manchester or Hull. It also fails to improve connections within Yorkshire, isolating Bradford on a branch line. The investment in rail infrastructure was delayed for too long due to past neglect, leading to mediocrity baked into the IRP. This is seen as a betrayal of the north and the country at large, with potential economic benefits like job creation and reduction of regional inequality being undermined.
Jamie Wallis
Con
Bridgend
Welsh constituencies will benefit from increased rail connectivity and capacity brought by HS2 and IRP. The plan delivers transformative changes in speed, capacity, and reliability for the entire UK, enhancing job markets and supporting sectors such as steel. Previous plans would have delayed benefits for Wales into the 2040s; levelling up must happen now with this investment.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Welsh constituencies have been short-changed in terms of rail infrastructure investment, receiving less than a 2% share despite having around 11% of the UK's rail track. This is exacerbated by HS2 being designated as an England and Wales project, limiting benefits for Wales.
James Grundy
Con
Leigh
Thanked the Secretary of State for securing funding to reopen Golborne station, mentioning £15 million from the transforming cities fund. Welcomed signalling improvements on the Castlefield corridor and expressed support for reviewing alternatives to the Golborne spur of HS2, citing local resident campaigns against it.
Mark Hendrick
Lab Co-op
Preston
Emphasised the historical significance of railways in the north of England and argued that new infrastructure is needed for economic growth. Highlighted capacity constraints as a key reason for HS2, which he said would improve transport times and create jobs.
Darren Henry
Con
Broxtowe
Discussed the £96 billion investment in rail infrastructure announced by the Government. Described how this will level up the east midlands, electrify routes to reduce carbon emissions and increase capacity for trains. Mentioned specific improvements planned for his constituency of Broxtowe.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Criticised the lack of transport investment in Bradford, noting the city's economic potential and the importance of a proper transport network. Emphasised how current railway services are inadequate compared to historical standards.
Sara Britcliffe
Con
Hyndburn
In Hyndburn and Haslingden, there has been a lack of representation for years with Labour failing to deliver. I have campaigned to improve transport links, such as the Manchester to Rawtenstall service and Accrington station's disabled access improvements. The Government must focus on smaller projects linking towns to cities, addressing the 25-mile journey from Accrington to Manchester taking an hour by rail.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Railways are essential and green but since privatisation in the 1990s, fares have risen sharply due to profit-taking. We must take the railway system into public ownership to address fare gaps and support fair investment. The Government's integrated rail plan fails to deliver on promises made about midland main line, Pennine lines, and northern England investments.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Major railway investment is crucial for Crewe’s economy. The integrated rail plan will benefit Crewe as a super-hub connecting high-speed services to existing networks, cutting journey times significantly. It also frees up capacity on other lines, improving local services from Nantwich to Crewe.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
The Government's integrated rail plan is a disaster for the north-east, overpromising and underdelivering. Scrapping HS2’s eastern leg and not extending NPR to Northumberland are disappointing. The need to reintroduce passenger rail on the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line is essential. Public ownership could be the solution.
Shadow Response
Louise Haigh
Shadow Response
Calls on the Government to deliver on their promises, noting that breaking them erodes trust in democratic institutions and affects communities' economic opportunities.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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