Transport Economic Growth 2025-06-26
2025-06-26
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Chris Curtis raises concerns about the lack of mass rapid transport systems in many UK cities compared to European counterparts, citing Centre for Cities research showing that poor connectivity limits growth and productivity.
Every French city with a population of more than 150,000 has a mass rapid transport system, yet over 30 UK cities or towns of that size still lack it. Research from Centre for Cities shows that poor connectivity holds back growth and productivity by limiting mobility. A key reason why we have so few is cost, because building a kilometre of track in the UK is twice as expensive as the European average. Can the Secretary of State set out what her Department is doing to bring down costs and help kickstart a tram-building revolution?
Trams do have the potential to support growth at much lower cost than heavy rail, but Chris Curtis is right that the cost per kilometre of new tramline is much more expensive in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. Heidi Alexander has asked her officials to look into what can be done in this area as they aim to unlock growth across the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
Looking Into
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Narayan asks about the progress of a new railway station in St Athan, an area with growing economic opportunity thanks to the Bro Tathan enterprise zone.
We have a proud community in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan that is both growing and thriving thanks to the economic opportunity provided by the Bro Tathan enterprise zone. Will the Secretary of State work with Welsh colleagues to progress funding for a new railway station in St Athan to support that growth and provide dignity for the residents?
Through the spending review and infrastructure strategy, this Government will provide at least £445 million of rail enhancements over the next 10 years to deliver long-term infrastructure needs in Wales, including new stations. Details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Funding Details Announced Later
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Smith questions the omission of logistics and fuel sectors from foundational industries identified in this week’s industrial strategy, citing disappointment expressed by industry leaders.
To achieve growth, businesses rely on our world-class logistics and haulage sector. Given that Logistics UK said that it was “disappointed” that the logistics sector had not been identified as one of the foundational industries in the industrial strategy this week, what happened? Did the Department for Transport go into bat for our logistics sector? Did it lose the row? Or did it not bother? What will the Secretary of State be doing to ensure that our logistics sector is seen across Government as foundational to any growth mission?
This Government’s industrial strategy sets out the sectors that have the potential to deliver economic growth and for which are competing internationally for mobile capital investment. Heidi Alexander meets repeatedly with industry representatives, including discussions about fuels or freight and logistics.
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Assessment & feedback
Industrial Strategy
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Smith continues his questioning on the fuel sector's omission from foundational industries, referencing a statement by Fuels Industry UK CEO Elizabeth de Jong.
The Secretary of State clearly has not listened to Logistics UK—I hope that at least she knows where the lower Thames crossing starts and ends. Let us turn to another foundational industry to transport and growth: fuel. Elizabeth de Jong, chief executive of Fuels Industry UK said about this week’s industrial strategy:
“we are disappointed not to be named explicitly as a ‘foundational industry’ today, given the vital role of the fuels sector in enabling growth”.
Why has our transport-critical fuels sector also been left behind by the Government?
“we are disappointed not to be named explicitly as a ‘foundational industry’ today, given the vital role of the fuels sector in enabling growth”.
Why has our transport-critical fuels sector also been left behind by the Government?
My colleague the Minister for the Future of Roads and I meet repeatedly with industry representatives, including discussions about fuels or freight and logistics. We are determined to get our economy firing on all cylinders, and we know what critical role these sectors play in that.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussions With Industry
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Q5
Partial Answer
The Secretary of State for Transport
Heidi Alexander
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Context
Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram have advocated for improved rail connections between their cities.
The mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool—Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram—have made a strong case for improving rail connectivity between their two great cities. The hon. Member is right to say that this Government are committed to improving the country’s rail network. I hope to say more on schemes for the north in the weeks and months ahead.
I assure all hon. Members that I will come back to the House swiftly when I have more information so that they can question me further.
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Assessment & feedback
specific timeline or details about upcoming schemes were not provided
Response accuracy