Topical Questions 2023-01-19

2023-01-19

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Following a £2.1-billion levelling-up fund announcement, concerns about delays at the port of Dover due to various factors such as weather or strikes.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. When there are delays at the port of Dover, whether due to weather, strikes or the French, the impact on local jobs, businesses and residents is absolutely enormous. I welcome the £45-million levelling-up fund investment in our local campaign to keep Dover clear.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for all her campaigning work. Dover is a strategic port for the United Kingdom. This project will ensure that we can meet our requirements and keep that flow of trade and traffic going.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details about thanking Conservative leaders were not provided
Grateful To My Hon. Friend
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
Concerns from the Law Society of Scotland, RMT, others about high threshold in Seafarers' Wages Bill, affecting several services.
The Law Society of Scotland, the RMT and others have all expressed concerns about the Seafarers' Wages Bill only covering services that dock in our port 120 times a year. That threshold is so high that several services will not be covered. Why will the Minister not listen to their concerns and reduce that threshold, thereby protecting more seafarers?
My understanding is that around 98% of services will be covered by the Bill, including the short straits services around which there have been concerns about P&O.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific ask to reduce threshold
My Understanding Is That
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
Despite £2 billion in support for buses during the pandemic, route 41 has suffered a massive reduction of service. Local authority was made aware but no replacement service is available.
Despite more than £2 billion of support for buses from the Government during the pandemic, my right hon. Friend will be aware that the well-used and popular route 41 has suffered a massive reduction of service across my constituency. The local authority was made aware of plans to reduce the service in May 2022. However, my constituents still do not have a replacement service and are unable to access healthcare, jobs and education. Will my right hon. Friend meet me urgently to work out what more we can do to encourage local authorities to keep those vital bus services going?
I am always delighted to meet my hon. Friend. He will be aware that under our bus service improvement plans we are ensuring that local authorities and transport providers work more closely together.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to an urgent meeting
I Am Always Delighted To Meet
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
Cuts to local bus services in Beechwood, Noctorum estates of my constituency have left deprived communities cut off from the wider Wirral at evenings and weekends.
Cuts to local bus services have left some of the most deprived communities in my constituency, including the Beechwood and Noctorum estates, effectively cut off from the wider Wirral at evenings and weekends. Many constituents now find it almost impossible to reach Arrowe Park Hospital by public transport. Will the Minister commit to increasing funding for local transport authorities so they can guarantee that no one is left behind by cuts to local services? Will he commit to a review of the Bus Service Act 2017, to allow the creation of municipal bus services that serve the needs of local communities?
My understanding is that talks are already under way about a franchising service in the hon. Gentleman's constituency.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to increasing funding or reviewing Bus Service Act 2017
Talks Are Already Under Way
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
Commitment in the Williams-Shapps plan to reform rail fares, particularly relevant for commuters in Swindon who endure disproportionately high rail fares.
The commitment in the Williams-Shapps plan to reform the structure of rail fares has particular resonance for commuters in Swindon, who have historically endured disproportionately high rail fares for journeys to London compared with those in Didcot, Bath and Bristol. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that, in any forthcoming legislation, those plans will be brought to fruition? Is the Treasury supportive of them?
I am grateful to my right hon. and learned Friend for his question, particularly his reference to our important plan for rail and the necessary reform.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide assurance about future plans or Treasury support
Grateful To My Right Hon. And Learned Friend
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Impact assessment for the anti-strikes Bill stated that on a strike day last year, 20% of rail services were still operational. The questioner challenges this threshold as being too low.
The impact assessment for the anti-strikes Bill stated that on a strike day last year, 20% of rail services were still operational. Clearly, the Tories think that 20% is too low, but to a layman, that is a minimum service. What minimum service will they impose on workers under threat of sack?
We have already written to our stakeholders and we will be launching a consultation.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details on minimum service threshold
Written To Our Stakeholders
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
Liberal Democrat and Labour authorities in Cambridgeshire are introducing a strict congestion charge, claiming it is due to the Department for Transport rejecting their bid for bus funding unless they committed to road charging.
The Liberal Democrat and Labour authorities in Cambridgeshire are introducing the country's most draconian congestion charge. They claim that they are being forced to do this by the Department for Transport, which supposedly rejected Cambridgeshire's bid for bus funding because they were not committed to road charging. Can my right hon. Friend confirm that this is untrue and that the Department did not require Cambridgeshire to commit to congestion charging to secure bus funding?
I am happy to confirm that bus funding has never been linked to road charging. A disagreeable pattern seems to be emerging where Labour politicians, backed by the Liberal Democrats, are not being entirely straightforward with the people they represent about road pricing schemes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly answer whether the Department required commitment to congestion charging as a condition for bus funding.
Attacking Labour Politicians And Liberal Democrats
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Stephanie Peacock Lab
Barnsley South
Context
The north has received one third of the levelling-up fund, yet train and bus services are poor. Today, every train service between Barnsley and Manchester is cancelled or delayed, and it takes two buses to travel from Rotherham to Elsecar.
The north has one third of the levelling-up funding, yet train and bus services are a fraction of what they were. Every train service between Barnsley and Manchester is cancelled or delayed today and it takes two buses to get from neighbouring Rotherham to Elsecar. Can the Minister explain to my constituents who cannot rely on public transport how he can possibly think that the Government are levelling up?
Today's announcement demonstrates that the Government are levelling up. If one looks at it from a per-population perspective, one will see that the areas are not London or the south-east but further north and in Wales. We are proud to level up all areas.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the poor state of train and bus services in Barnsley.
Broad Statements About Levelling-Up
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
The roads Minister visited Kettering to promote the £2 bus fare scheme. The proposed junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering has been under discussion.
In thanking the roads Minister for visiting Kettering in December to promote the £2 bus fare scheme, I ask him when National Highways will complete its planning development work on the proposed junction 10A on the A14 at Kettering so that it can be submitted for potential inclusion in road investment strategy 3?
I was delighted to visit Kettering—in fact, it was the same day that I visited Gateshead—and to see such great coverage in the Northamptonshire Telegraph. My hon. Friend is an ever-passionate advocate for his constituency and for the proposals to improve the A14. I can confirm that National Highways is considering proposals for junction 10A of the A14 as part of the RIS3 pipeline.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or completion date for planning development work on junction 10A.
Broad Statements About Improving The A14
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Vicky Foxcroft Lab
Lewisham North
Context
An 87-year-old south London resident has been unable to attend her hospital appointments since Southeastern made changes and cuts to its timetable. Social media is inundated with complaints about overcrowding, cancellations, and delays on Southeastern services.
This week there were media reports that an 87-year-old south London resident has been unable to attend her hospital appointments since Southeastern made changes and cuts to its timetable. My social media is inundated with complaints of overcrowding, cancellations and continual delays on Southeastern services. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of the new timetable on reliability?
I welcome, and I congratulate the hon. Member on, the £19 million that has been provided by the levelling-up fund to Lewisham. I am looking forward to visiting her to talk to her and her community groups about the issues she raises.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address Southeastern train service timetable reliability assessment.
Discussing Unrelated Funding
Response accuracy
Q11 Direct Answer
Context
Tomorrow, Nottingham City Transport will be met to discuss the new £2 single bus fare. The recent grant of £11.4 million supports bus services including Lime Line services and specific routes through Gedling.
Tomorrow I will be meeting Nottingham City Transport to discuss the new £2 single bus fare. Does my hon. Friend agree with me that—coupled with the recent £11.4 million grant to Nottingham to support bus services, including the Lime Line services and 53 and 39 buses that run through my constituency—there is no better time for Gedling residents to take the bus for work and leisure?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The £2 bus fare cap is not only innovative in helping people save money on their regular transport costs but helping to take 2 million car journeys off our roads.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Samantha Dixon Lab
Chester North and Neston
Context
Conservative promises of great bus services are seen as empty. The Minister has previously noted the need to devolve powers and funds to areas like Chester.
The Conservatives' promise of great bus services for everyone everywhere is clearly another empty promise. The Minister was right that the only way to solve this is through the devolution of powers and funds to places such as Chester. Will he therefore urge the Secretary of State to take seriously the devolution bid put forward by Cheshire and Warrington, so that we can get buses going where Cestrians need them?
We always look forward to working with local authorities on whatever plans they bring forward, but I remind the hon. Lady that this Government put in over £2 billion of support during the pandemic.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly state whether he will urge the Secretary of State to take seriously the devolution bid for Chester and Warrington.
Referencing Past Support
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Stonehouse company BorgWarner provides skilled jobs and apprenticeships. Hydrogen combustion engines are crucial for future transportation needs.
I am working with the Stonehouse company BorgWarner in Stroud to raise the profile of hydrogen combustion engines and the need to ensure that they are considered compliant with the upcoming zero-emission vehicle mandate and vehicle requirements from 2035. Will my right hon. Friend agree to visit this important local provider of hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships to learn more about its world-leading work?
I thank my hon. Friend very much for her question. She is absolutely right that hydrogen is a key component of the full decarbonisation of transport—not just heavier transport, but aviation and maritime.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm whether he will visit BorgWarner in Stroud.
Acknowledging Importance Of Hydrogen
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
The levelling-up fund bid for Pencoed level crossing was rejected, despite promises from previous Rail Ministers that it would be the key to closing the level crossing and improving services.
I am concerned about the levelling-up fund bid for Pencoed level crossing being rejected. Previous Rail Ministers promised this was key to closing the level crossing and unleashing potential for increased services. Will the Minister meet me so we can resolve this issue and secure funding?
I would be absolutely delighted to meet the hon. Member. I am sorry for the disappointment he receives on behalf of his community, and I will do everything I can to work with him to make sure that the level crossing is safer.
Assessment & feedback
Specific funding commitment or timeline not provided
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
Cornforth constituents face difficulty accessing the Spennymoor supermarket due to a lack of direct bus service, requiring two buses with a change at Ferryhill.
Building on previous comments about £2 bus fares, my Cornforth constituents must take two buses and change at Ferryhill to reach their local supermarket. What can be done to help them? Will the Minister meet me to discuss this further?
I am always delighted to meet my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour. He will be aware that the enhanced partnership put forward by the Labour North East Joint Transport Committee is currently looking at the BSIP as well. I hope to work with him not only on that, but on the broader regional transport issues of which he has been a major champion since 2019.
Assessment & feedback
Specific action or timeline for Cornforth's bus service issue not provided
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Andrew Gwynne Ind
Gorton and Denton
Context
Reddish South and Denton stations are served by only one train a week, with plans for restoration pending the Heaton Norris junction crossover decision.
Reddish South and Denton stations receive just one weekly train. The restoring your railway business case is pending at Heaton Norris junction. Can I meet the Rail Minister to highlight this line's potential for south-east Manchester growth?
The answer to that is yes, and may I thank all Members I have met who have come up with great ideas of simple timetable changes that can benefit communities and rail patronage? The hon. Gentleman's idea may be one good example and I will be happy to meet him.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
National Highways has submitted a DCO for the £10 billion lower Thames crossing project, with concerns about the accuracy of its benefit-cost ratio.
As my hon. Friend will know, National Highways has now submitted a DCO on the construction of the lower Thames crossing. Who will assess the accuracy of its benefit-cost ratio across Government? Will this still represent value for money?
My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment further while the DCO process is ongoing. The LTC is a major transport infrastructure project and I am happy to meet with him and other interested hon. Members, as is the Secretary of State; it is a major piece of investment and we need to get it right.
Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment process or decision timeline not provided
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
The Rhondda tunnel is in need of money for its development, prompting a request for the Secretary of State to visit.
When will the Secretary of State sort out the Rhondda tunnel funding? When can I bring him down my hole so he can see it?
This is my first opportunity to congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his recently announced honour in the new year's honours list for long service in this House. He has raised this specific question on the tunnel with me before; either I or the rail Minister, my hon. Friend Huw Merriman, will meet him to look at what we can do to bring that forward.
Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline for meeting and visit not provided
Response accuracy