Topical Questions 2025-01-09

2025-01-09

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Ben Obese-Jecty Con
Huntingdon
Context
Stagecoach East has issued a statement about the delayed new tiger bus routes, citing multiple issues including inconsistencies in award letters and concerns over legality.
On those new bus routes, within the last hour, Stagecoach East has issued a statement about the delayed new tiger bus routes, citing the decision by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough combined authority to retender the routes, inconsistencies in the award letter, concerns over the legality of the operation and the increased cost due to the Government’s national insurance increase as reasons for the delay until at least May. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that bus services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are not being managed effectively by the Labour mayor?
I am happy to speak further with the hon. Gentleman about his concerns regarding local bus services. I know how critical bus services are for young people wanting to get to school, people wanting to get to work and older people wanting to access vital lifeline services. I am happy to meet him to talk in more detail about his local concerns.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Michelle Scrogham Lab
Barrow and Furness
Context
The A590 and the A595 are vital for Barrow and Furness, affecting growth, nuclear deterrent operations, and emergency services.
In Barrow and Furness, we often joke that we live at the end of the longest cul-de-sac in the UK. The A590 and the A595 are lifelines for people in my constituency. Our future growth, the nuclear deterrent and the emergency services depend on the roads working well, but we are often cut off. Will the Minister therefore confirm the Government’s commitment to investing in the improved reliability of such critical pieces of infrastructure?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the importance of those roads to her constituents. I am working closely with National Highways and holding it to account for those parts of the road network, as well as working with local authorities to ensure that roads are reliable, well maintained and available.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Grahame Morris Lab
Easington
Context
From November to December, Northern Rail cancelled numerous services in the Tyne, Tees and Wear region.
From 7 November to 7 December, Northern Rail cancelled 460 services across the Tyne, Tees and Wear region. An average of 20 services a day were either cancelled or short-formed during this period. Will the Secretary of State facilitate a meeting with the Rail Minister to put in place an urgent action plan and address the issues of staff shortages?
I, along with the Rail Minister, will be meeting the management of Northern Rail before the end of this month.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Joshua Reynolds LD
Maidenhead
Context
The question addresses a recent increase in the use of bots to purchase driving tests and resell them at inflated prices, despite government changes aimed at preventing this.
Over the past few weeks, I have seen at first hand how businesses on WhatsApp groups are using bots to buy up driving tests and then sell them at £250 or more. That is even after the Government’s changes that came into force on Monday this week. What further steps can the Secretary of State take to stop that practice?
The hon. Member is right to raise concerns about these appalling practices that are being used to rip off learner drivers. To help with this, we announced a call for evidence on the current rules and processes, and we will be working hard to eliminate the bots and make sure that learner drivers get a proper deal.
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Q5 Partial Answer
John Whitby Lab
Derbyshire Dales
Context
The question is prompted by a significant decline in the number of bus journeys in rural areas between 2010 and 2023, leading to concerns about further cuts.
Under the previous Government, bus services in rural areas were decimated. The number of bus journeys in the Derbyshire Dales declined by 55% between 2010 and 2023. What steps is the Minister taking to stop further cuts to bus services in rural areas like the Derbyshire Dales.
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. A total of £1 billion was announced in the Budget for bus services, which will be available to his local transport authority to invest in areas, including rural areas, to ensure that bus services are accessible, regular and affordable.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Freddie van Mierlo LD
Henley and Thame
Context
The question is prompted by the need for central government funding to support a cycleway project from Thame to Haddenham.
A Thame to Haddenham cycleway would transform how residents of Thame get to the local railway station. However, active travel funding from central Government is essential to get such schemes off the ground. Will the Secretary of State commit to increasing the active travel budget beyond what has been announced to truly revolutionise rural cycling?
The hon. Member will be aware that close to £100 million was announced in the recent Budget. We will work closely with Active Travel England to ensure that that money is put to good effect across the country.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Lillian Jones Lab
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Context
The question is prompted by the failure of a Scottish Government scheme to boost freight transport via rail, coupled with price hikes for passengers.
The nationalisation of ScotRail has been another SNP transport fiasco. The Scottish Government’s flagship £25 million scheme to boost the amount of freight transported by rail failed to achieve growth. Their mismanagement of ScotRail and their own budget has led to a double-whammy price hike for passengers, with the return of peak fares at the same time as price rises. Does the Secretary of State agree that, at a time when we need better trains to boost growth and reduce emissions, the SNP has instead consigned Scotland to a spiral of decline and let my constituents down?
I agree. We will not make the same mistakes when we take train operating companies into public ownership. We will do it properly. It is a massive undertaking, but we will make our railways a system for the whole country to be proud of.
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Q8 Partial Answer
Graham Leadbitter SNP
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Context
The question is prompted by the increase in spending on duty-free shopping since Brexit, with no benefits for Scottish airports.
Since Brexit and the reinstatement of duty-free shopping, UK travellers have spent nearly 50% more on their duty-free shopping, all in the EU. Not a penny has supported jobs or investment in Scottish airports, or those in the wider UK. Does the Minister agree that a way to repatriate those sales and support the travel sector to invest in jobs at international gateways would be introducing arrival duty free, and will he work with the Treasury and the travel sector to achieve that?
Changes made during the pandemic crippled airport duty-free shopping. I will get the hon. Member a more detailed letter on the matter.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Robbie Moore Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Context
The question is prompted by a long-standing campaign for a new rail link between Skipton and Colne to benefit freight and passengers.
The Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership campaign group has long been advocating, as have I, for a new rail link between Skipton and Colne, because it will bring huge benefits to the likes of Keighley, for both freight and passengers. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss this long ongoing campaign that I have been advocating for?
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Q10 Partial Answer
Emma Lewell-Buck Lab
South Shields
Context
The question is prompted by ongoing issues with public transport and infrastructure in South Shields.
In South Shields, not only is our public transport expensive, we have to suffer constant metro delays, tunnel closures and replacement bus breakdowns. This Christmas, our roads were completely cut off. Will my right hon. Friend please meet me to discuss these long-standing ongoing issues?
I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend. I have already met a number of Members of Parliament in the Gateshead area about some of the recent problems with the flyover, and met the Mayor for the region.
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Q11 Partial Answer
Matt Vickers Con
Stockton West
Context
The question is prompted by a £1 billion fund set aside for Teesside when HS2 was cancelled, and concerns about whether the Labour party will continue to invest in this area.
When HS2 was cancelled, the last Government set aside £1 billion for Teesside to protect our iconic transporter bridge, deliver a new train station for Teesside Park, upgrade the train station at Thornaby, and much more. We are six months in now. Can the Secretary of State tell me whether we will get the money, or is the Labour party pulling the plug on investment in Teesside?
We are six months in. The Conservative party had 14 years. Those promises are worth nothing without a plan to deliver.
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Q12 Partial Answer
Helena Dollimore Lab/Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Context
The question is prompted by the need for pothole repair in Hastings, Rye, and surrounding villages, which have some of the worst potholes in the country.
In Hastings, Rye and the villages, we have some of the worst potholes in the country, so I welcome the record £21 million awarded to east Sussex to fill potholes. Will the Secretary of State join me in calling on Conservative-run East Sussex county council to fill the potholes, and ensure that Hastings and Rye gets its fair share of that funding?
I am happy to work with my hon. Friend on this issue.
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Q13 Partial Answer
Freddie van Mierlo LD
Henley and Thame
Context
The question is prompted by the need for active travel funding to support a cycleway project from Thame to Haddenham.
A Thame to Haddenham cycleway would transform how residents of Thame get to the local railway station. However, active travel funding from central Government is essential to get such schemes off the ground. Will the Secretary of State commit to increasing the active travel budget beyond what has been announced to truly revolutionise rural cycling?
We are committed to supporting active travel. We will work closely with Active Travel England and local authorities to ensure that funding is used effectively.
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Q14 Partial Answer
Kevin Bonavia Lab
Stevenage
Context
Residents in Knebworth called for more fast train services, which have been implemented but with poor reliability issues.
In my first public meeting after the election, residents in Knebworth asked for more fast train services. We got some trains, but there has been poor reliability. Will she meet me to discuss those issues?
Yes, I think I will have a busy diary coming up. Will she meet me to discuss those issues?
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Q15 Partial Answer
Lincoln Jopp Con
Spelthorne
Context
Major employers such as BP and Shepperton Studios are sending buses up the line to bring down people who cannot use an Oyster card. This is due to a situation where someone can get six London red buses on an Oyster card, but they cannot get the train out to stations at the end of the line.
Major employers such as BP and Shepperton Studios are sending buses up the line to bring down people who cannot use an Oyster card. As Heidi Alexander will own South Western Railway and is brilliant with Transport for London, could she please get Spelthorne into the Oyster zone?
We are exploring how we can extend pay-as-you-go to other stations in the south-east. I must admit that my mental map is not good enough to identify every station yet, but we share that ambition to make it easier for people to use the railways across the south-east region.
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Q16 Direct Answer
Noah Law Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Context
Grassroots campaigners in Newquay will meet to oppose the privatisation of car park charge enforcement in Newquay. Councils want to retain more profit locally rather than sending it up-country to often unscrupulous and usurious operators.
This weekend, grassroots campaigners in Newquay will meet to oppose the privatisation of car park charge enforcement in Newquay and Cornwall more widely. Will Heidi Alexander and colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government meet me to discuss how councils can retain more of that profit locally, instead of sending it up-country to often unscrupulous and usurious operators?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising the concern, and I would be happy to meet him to discuss the issues further.
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Q17 Direct Answer
Vikki Slade LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Context
Residents of Wareham have been trying to get electronic gates for 20 years. Network Rail’s latest excuse is that it is for the Office of Rail and Road, and the Office of Rail and Road says that it is for Network Rail.
The residents of Wareham, just along from Bournemouth, have been trying to get electronic gates for 20 years. Network Rail's latest excuse is that it is for the Office of Rail and Road, and the Office of Rail and Road says that it is for Network Rail. Will Heidi Alexander meet me so that we can bang heads together and get this resolved once and for all?
I will certainly ask the Rail Minister to take that meeting.
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Q18 Direct Answer
Scott Arthur Lab
Edinburgh South West
Context
Pavement parking is a massive issue for people faced with sight loss and parents trying to push buggies. It has been four years since the consultation closed.
Pavement parking is a massive issue in many of our towns and cities, particularly for people faced with sight loss and for parents trying to push buggies. All of us here benefit from the pavement parking ban in London, but given that it is over four years since the consultation closed, is it time to give towns and cities across England the power to enforce a pavement parking ban if they so wish?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this problem. We will publish a formal response to the consultation, which the previous Government shamefully failed to act on. We will announce next steps for pavement parking policy in England in due course.
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Q19 Partial Answer
James Wild Con
North West Norfolk
Context
Upgrading Ely junction would deliver more passenger services to King’s Lynn in James Wild's constituency, boost freight and unlock benefits of £5 for every £1 invested.
Upgrading Ely junction would deliver more passenger services to King’s Lynn in my constituency, boost freight and unlock benefits of £5 for every £1 invested. Will Heidi Alexander confirm whether that is a priority in the Department's bid for the spending review?
We are working on a whole range of schemes in respect of the spending review, and I will provide the hon. Gentleman with more information as soon as I have it.
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Q20 Partial Answer
Louise Jones Lab
North East Derbyshire
Context
Derbyshire was judged to be the worst county for potholes last year, but it received a record £76 million investment.
Last year, Derbyshire was judged to be the worst county in the country for potholes, so one would think that the county council would welcome the record £76 million investment into our roads. Can Heidi Alexander assure me that that money will make a real difference to our roads and pave the way for a better Britain?
Undoubtedly.
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