Local Government Finance Potholes 2024-03-04
2024-03-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of local government funding decisions on road maintenance, specifically highlighting severe pothole issues in Tory-run Derbyshire. He references a GoCompare report describing the worst potholes in England.
If he will make a comparative assessment of trends in (a) the level of local government financial settlements and (b) the number of cars damaged as a result of potholes in the last 10 years. GoCompare's recent pothole report described the worst potholes in England. The Conservative council leader stated that central Government funding decisions have forced Derbyshire to adopt an ineffective patching approach, leaving residents with substantial repair costs due to poor road conditions.
We have made available up to £64.7 billion for local authorities through the 2024-25 local government finance settlement. Local authorities can decide how to spend the majority of that funding. The Government are also investing more than £5 billion into local highways maintenance in this Parliament. In October, we announced a further £8 billion to fix our roads.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide comparative assessment as requested, instead provided recent figures without historical context or trend analysis.
Provided Current Funding Information Rather Than Trends Over The Past Decade
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about local authority's inability to effectively manage pothole issues due to insufficient central government funding, highlighting specific impacts on Derbyshire.
GoCompare's recent pothole report described the potholes in Tory-run Derbyshire as the very worst in England. The Conservative council leader was clear that funding decisions from central Government have forced the county to adopt a “sticking plaster and patching approach”. He said the funding doesn't touch the sides of the issue for counties across the country. Why should Derbyshire motorists pay a Tory pothole tax?
For the hon. Gentleman's benefit, let me repeat those figures of £5 billion for local highways maintenance and the additional £8 billion announced in October. That will fill holes, including in Derbyshire and his constituency, to support motorists, the economy and people going about their business.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why Derbyshire should pay a pothole tax as requested.
Repeated Funding Amounts Without Addressing The Core Question
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP invites a Minister to visit his constituency to see the severe pothole issues firsthand. He thanks the government for allocating £32 million over 11 years for road repairs.
It is normal in these circumstances to invite a Minister to visit a constituency. The Minister is welcome to visit my constituency, The Wrekin in Shropshire, and the Telford and Wrekin borough, but if he visits the Telford and Wrekin borough bit, could he bring a spare tyre? The potholes there are enormous. I thank him for allowing £32 million to be released over the next 11 years to ensure that those potholes are filled.
As I struggle with my Lenten observations, I need no lessons about spare tyres—it is all about trying to get rid of spare tyres, as far as I am concerned. I am grateful for my right hon. Friend's comments. The Wrekin is a part of Shropshire that I know well. Those sums can and should be used by upper-tier authorities, which are the highways authority, to ensure that their networks are working well, smoothly and safely.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the invitation or the specific funding issue directly.
Talked About Personal Health Observations Rather Than Answering
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP advocates for a long-term, secure funding settlement to allow public service workers and leaders to plan effectively without having to constantly bid for funds.
Public service workers and local leaders across the country are working incredibly hard to improve their local areas and provide vital services. Rather than the begging bowl culture that makes them bid for money, will the Minister take forward Labour's commitment for a long-term, more secure funding settlement to allow them to plan for the future?
I am intrigued by what the right hon. Lady proffers to the House. Only a few weeks ago, in the debate on the local government finance settlement—none of her colleagues apart from the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell), the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts), who chairs the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, and those on the Front Bench could be bothered to turn up and speak on it—the hon. Member for Blaydon (Liz Twist) said: “As I will come on to say shortly, we will have a review to look at the long-term plans.”
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address Labour's commitment or funding proposals directly.
Criticised Labour Members For Lack Of Attendance In Debates
Response accuracy