Transport Infrastructure Funding 2025-07-01
2025-07-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Following up on the Chancellor's statement about increased transport infrastructure funding, Ruth Jones questioned specific details of the announced railway project funds for Wales.
I welcome the announcement in the spending review that railway projects in Wales, including five new stations east of Cardiff, will receive an extra £445 million in funding over the next decade. Will the Chancellor provide more detail as to how the money will be specifically allocated and when work will begin?
It was a pleasure to be in Cardiff just after the spending review to look at the difference made by the investment that the Labour Government are putting into transport in Wales. The spending review and the infrastructure strategy recognised Wales’s long-term infrastructure needs and how they have been neglected for too long by the Tory party. We delivered at least £445 million for rail enhancements, which provides funding for continuing to develop and deliver the stations identified in the Burns review, including Newport West and Somerton. Plans for future rail investment in Wales will be made in close consultation with the Welsh Government and through engagement with the Wales Rail Board.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on allocation or timeline of the £445 million fund.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Addressing the Chancellor, Euan Stainbank raised concerns about the potential loss of jobs at Alexander Dennis due to a lack of local investment from the Government.
I declare an interest as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British buses. Our £15.6 billion commitment to regional transport through the spending review should be good news for bus manufacturing. However, Alexander Dennis’s ongoing consultation threatens 400 jobs in Falkirk, putting another major employer at risk just after the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery. The Scottish National party’s ScotZEB 2 scheme famously failed to invest in Scotland. Where things are built and by who matters, so will the Chancellor act to guarantee that our investment in transport is of maximum benefit to Scottish vehicle manufacturers?
It is important that, as this Government put more money into infrastructure, including transport, it benefits companies and jobs here in Britain. It is not right the Scottish Government spend more on buses made in China than on buses made in Scotland. There is nothing preventing the Scottish National party from investing in jobs and growth in Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address how investment would benefit local companies like Alexander Dennis directly.
Blaming The Snp For Lack Of Local Investment
Response accuracy