Rail Funding HS2 Barnett Consequential 2023-03-29
2023-03-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question stems from a comparison of rail enhancement investment between Wales and Scotland, noting that Wales receives only 1.5% for its 5% population share while Scotland gets 8%.
Whether he has made a comparative assessment of the level of additional rail funding provided to Scotland and Wales as a Barnett consequential of HS2. In other words, Wales has only had 1.5% of rail enhancement investment for the UK for 5% of the population, while Scotland gets 8% for its 8% of the population.
The Welsh Government have actually received a significant uplift in their Barnett-based funding due to UK Government spending on HS2. I also point out that the UK Government have committed £2 billion for the period 2019 to 2024—more than double the £900 million invested between 2014 and 2019.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to Wales getting its fair share of HS2 funding or confirm a specific amount like £5 billion
Highlighting The Uplift In Barnett-Based Funding Without Addressing The Specific Request
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question is a follow-up, comparing rail enhancement investments to Wales (1.5% of UK) for its 5% population share compared to Scotland's 8% for an equal percentage.
Will the Minister give an undertaking that Wales should get its fair 5% share of HS2— £5 billion—in the same way that Scotland will get its 8%, or £8 billion? Will he raise that with his colleagues in the Cabinet?
The Welsh Government have actually received a significant uplift in their Barnett-based funding due to UK Government spending on HS2. I also point out that the UK Government have committed £2 billion for the period 2019 to 2024—more than double the £900 million invested between 2014 and 2019.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to Wales getting its fair share of HS2 funding or confirm a specific amount like £5 billion
Highlighting The Uplift In Barnett-Based Funding Without Addressing The Specific Request
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The question is related to extending the Borders railway down to Carlisle, a vital cross-border link for people and businesses in the north of England and Scotland.
With regard to rail funding, cross-border rail links, such as extending the Borders railway down to Carlisle, are vital to people and businesses in the north of England and Scotland. Does my hon. Friend agree that implementation of the Union connectivity review recommendations is vital in that regard, and can he give an update on that?
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his hard work with the other cross-border MPs, including me, to deliver the extension of the Borders railway to Hawick and Newcastleton and on to Carlisle. I was delighted to see the funding for the feasibility study in the borderlands growth deal, and we hope that work on it will be under way very soon.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy