Topical Questions 2023-10-26

2023-10-26

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the reduction of direct train services from London to Holyhead by Avanti, affecting her constituents.
Thank goodness Santa travels by sleigh, not train! Avanti has just released its new timetable, with London to Holyhead services up to Christmas slashed. It is certainly no Nadolig Llawen for my Ynys Môn constituents, who like me are fed up with this service. Avanti has a new contract; what assurance can my right hon. Friend give to my constituents that he is doing everything he can to restore the number of direct trains from London to Holyhead to pre-pandemic levels?
The Rail Minister and I continue to hold Avanti to account for matters within its control. The temporary changes are necessary due to Network Rail engineering works and crew shortages, but £1 billion is being invested in north Wales main line electrification as an early Christmas present from the Prime Minister.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address restoring pre-pandemic train services directly
Providing Unrelated Information Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Louise Haigh Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Context
The MP questions the Prime Minister's decision to dismantle the ministerial taskforce overseeing HS2, citing concerns over cost and delivery.
We now know that High Speed 2 was billions of pounds over budget, Parliament may have been misled, and the Government are about to waste hundreds of millions more on the fire sale of the land. Why, then, did the Prime Minister choose to dismantle the ministerial taskforce that was literally designed to oversee the cost and delivery of HS2 when he entered No. 10?
The Prime Minister made a long-term decision to reinvest savings from HS2 into northern and midland transport projects, benefiting more people faster. The hon. Member's party leader acknowledged the PM's right stance on HS2.
Assessment & feedback
Did not explain dismantling of ministerial taskforce
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Louise Haigh Lab
Sheffield Heeley
Context
The MP is concerned about unfunded projects in Network North due to outdated valuations.
Neither the Secretary of State nor the Prime Minister were paying attention, were they? They have fatally undermined confidence in HS2 and its delivery, which is why no one has confidence in Network North. The Rail Minister failed to respond to my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East (Mike Kane) about the fact that dozens of projects in Network North are unfunded because they are valued in 2019 prices. Will he publish the delivery plans and up-to-date costs, or can we all conclude that Network North is not worth the paper it is written on?
I am very surprised that the hon. Lady is not welcoming the improvements Network North will bring, including rail upgrades in Sheffield and Hull to Leeds. I am shocked she does not welcome these changes.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address publication of delivery plans or costs
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The MP requests that parking charges on double yellow lines in London be extended to Bournemouth.
Some 75% of visitors to Bournemouth travel by car. They are most welcome, particularly when they do not park on double yellow lines, but some are choosing to do so for a great day by the sea. They are willing to pay the £35 charge, which obstructs local traffic and, indeed, the emergency services. If someone parks on a double yellow in London, the charge is £65. That is a real deterrent, so can the London charging rates for parking on yellow lines please be extended to Bournemouth?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and would be happy to discuss the issue further with him, as I recently met with my right hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth West (Sir Conor Burns) and some members of the local council.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to implementing higher parking charges
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Kerry McCarthy Lab
Bristol East
Context
The MP asks for a response to the government consultation on pavement parking after more than three years.
By the time we next meet for Transport orals, it will have been more than three years since the Government consultation on pavement parking closed. Are we ever going to see a Government response, or is it time that the Government came clean with disability groups and admitted that they have put this issue in the “too hard to do” pile?
It is not a 'too hard to do' issue—it is something we are looking at. It was one of the biggest responses with tens of thousands of submissions, so it is right that we take our time. Local authorities can implement traffic regulation orders.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for response
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Local residents are concerned about potholes and road repairs. The government recently announced £8 billion for pothole repair.
Potholes and road repairs are a key concern for many of my fellow Gedling residents so I warmly welcome the recent announcement of over £8 billion of spend on potholes. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that money will be spent where it is needed most and outline how much of it is coming to the east midlands?
Details of how that £8.3 billion of funding will be allocated to local authorities will be published in due course, and I hope we will be able to make an announcement about that in the not-too-distant future to give my hon. Friend that reassurance. It will be for each individual local highway authority to decide how to spend that money and to focus on the most important parts of their network.
Assessment & feedback
Specific figures or commitments about East Midlands funding allocation were not provided.
It Will Be For Each Individual Local Highway Authority To Decide How To Spend That Money
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Context
Scotland has more progressive electric vehicle incentives compared to England, including interest-free loans and enhanced home-charger grants.
Scotland has had a far more progressive approach to encouraging the switch to electric vehicles with incentives including interest-free loans for electric vehicles, enhanced home-charger grants and a far more comprehensive charging network with twice as many rapid chargers per head as England. The Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for net zero has described the delay on banning petrol and diesel car sales as an 'unforgiveable betrayal of current and future generations', putting the UK on the 'wrong side of history' on climate change. She is right, isn't she?
I do not think that, for the reasons we have described, there is anything to complain about in relation to the progress we are making across England. Charge point roll-out remains very rapid—43% in the last 12 months —and there are 49,000 public charge points at the moment and 400,000 private and business ones, and new regulations and a new mandate have just been laid.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address Scotland's Cabinet Secretary's criticism directly.
Charge Point Roll-Out Remains Very Rapid
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Context
Chalkwell station in Leigh-on-Sea is entirely inaccessible due to steep steps. Work was supposed to start a year ago but has not.
Chalkwell station in beautiful Leigh-on-Sea has 40 steep steps to get up from and down to the platform; it is 100% inaccessible. I was told last year by the Treasury that work on it is part of the £350 million Department for Transport Access for All programme. Work was supposed to start a year ago, but nothing has happened. The timetable has slipped; it is not due to be completed until March 2026. To ensure that there is no further slippage on this timetable, will the Minister meet with me?
I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend. Chalkwell, Ockendon and Southend East remain within the Access for All programme. We have delivered 230 stations and we will deliver those three as well. We had an issue with the contractor putting in a cost estimate that was about double what I would expect; that is why we have had to look anew, but I will very happily meet my hon. Friend to discuss this further, and she has that commitment.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Context
There are reports that HS2 trains will travel slower than existing trains due to track design issues.
Can the Minister confirm that although HS2—or maybe HS1- and-a-quarter—is going no further than Birmingham, the HS2 trains will continue to run on the west coast main line? Is he aware of repeated reports that because the new trains are not designed for existing track, the high-speed trains to Glasgow will go slower than the existing trains on that line? Can the Minister categorically assure the House that that is not the case, and tell us how much time will be cut from the train journey from Glasgow to Birmingham?
It comes down to choices. We could have chosen to continue with HS2, which would not have delivered the value we need, with time overrunning, or we could have done as the Scottish National party did when it built two ferries at a shipyard that had been nationalised, going four times over budget and running seven years late.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address reports of slower train speeds or journey time savings directly.
We Could Have Chosen To Continue With Hs2
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Context
The government is keen on approving more open access passenger and freight train operators.
Open access passenger and freight train operators have recovered faster since the pandemic, experience higher staff morale with fewer strikes, provide better deals for passengers and cost taxpayers less too. Over the next three to six months how many new open-access services does the Minister expect to see approved?
I thank my hon. Friend for everything he does to push for more open access. It is something the Secretary of State and I are keen to do. I met this week with the Office of Rail and Road chief executive, our regulator, and we discussed what he can do to allow more open-access applications, and what we can do, and we then met with another bidder. There is another service planned with regard to Wales on the western line, and there is also one in the offing that could work on CrossCountry, plus one for the channel tunnel.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific number of new services expected to be approved.
We Discussed What He Can Do To Allow More Open-Access Applications
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Chi Onwurah Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context
The government's handling of HS2 has been criticised, with concerns over the credibility of the Network North project.
The Government's mishandling of HS2 was and is absolutely staggering, but their attempt to pull the wool over northern eyes with Network North is a farce. Does the Minister really believe the people of the north-east are falling for his fag-end fake network to nowhere?
I just do not accept that at all. I gave a run through of a list of the £36 billion that is being put back into local projects, including £1.8 billion extra for the north-east. That could, for example, be an option for the Leamside line to be reopened.
Assessment & feedback
I Just Do Not Accept That At All
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
Local authorities are receiving £200 million for pothole repair, with Dudley Council adopting a new proactive maintenance approach.
The fight against potholes is much like our own fight to stay healthy: if we do nothing about it, we deteriorate faster. I therefore thank the Minister for the additional £200 million allocated to local authorities for pothole repairs. Will he join me in praising Dudley Council's new approach of moving away from traditional, reactive quick wins towards a proactive, high-quality structural maintenance service?
I certainly am delighted to praise Dudley Council for its new approach, spending that money wisely but also implementing preventative measures for the future. Well planned road maintenance is essential, and on 4 October the Prime Minister announced that Network North would include £8.3 billion for local highway maintenance right across the country.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13 Direct Answer
Dan Jarvis Lab
Barnsley North
Context
South Yorkshire relies on the city region sustainable transport settlements round 2 uplift for local and regional transport infrastructure.
The government has said that every penny spent on HS2 will be reinvested in local and regional transport. To clarify, can you confirm that South Yorkshire's city region sustainable transport settlements round 2 uplift is £543 million, and will the Minister work with the Mayor to maximise this investment?
Yes, I can confirm that it is indeed £543 million of extra funding for the South Yorkshire mayoral combined authority. We have already had conversations with the South Yorkshire Mayor about the funding and his plans. My team will continue to do so, and our officials will work with his to make sure we can deliver those plans.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
The global AI summit in Milton Keynes is upcoming, focusing on the regulation of new technology.
With the global AI summit coming up next week, what steps is the Department taking towards regulating autonomous pavement delivery robots?
I have visited the technology my hon. Friend describes, seen it in action, and am pleased to confirm that the Department will fund research on its impacts. The results of this research will be published once concluded.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
Heavy goods vehicles cause a disproportionate number of cycling deaths, necessitating the study of successful London schemes.
Will the Department look at the successful London scheme to address illegal freight operators contributing to cyclist deaths and encourage partnerships between local authorities, DVSA, and police forces?
I am happy to look at measures like this one proposed by the hon. Lady. I regularly meet the National Police Chiefs' Council on this issue, as well as police and crime commissioners' lead. We have updated the highway code but will consider further measures.
Assessment & feedback
The Department did not commit to any specific actions or partnerships suggested by Ruth Cadbury
I Am Always Happy To Look At
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Nottinghamshire submitted a levelling-up fund bid for a new Toton link road but narrowly missed out, despite its potential to ease congestion and unlock economic benefits.
Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the £40 million, ready-to-go project in Broxtowe and wider county, especially considering the east midlands has the lowest amount per head spent on transport?
With extra £1.5 billion in CRSTS for my hon. Friend's mayoral combined authority, there will be opportunities to look at important road schemes. I would be delighted to meet him as soon as possible.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to discussing the specific £40 million Toton link road project.
With Extra Funding
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Context
Previous HS2 plans claimed significant increases in rail passenger numbers and reduced air travel emissions, but the government has made a different choice.
What is the Secretary of State's new prediction for rail passenger numbers making the journey between Scotland and London after abandoning the HS2 project?
I will write to the hon. Lady with the details she requires, but I restate our choice to proceed with transport projects across the country that deliver better benefits and have a stronger business case.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State avoided providing specific new predictions for rail passenger numbers.
I Will Write But I Restate
Response accuracy
Q18 Direct Answer
Context
There are concerns about safety for Jews using the London Underground, and a specific incident is mentioned involving misconduct by staff.
Does my right hon. Friend think people of the Jewish faith feel safe on the London Underground? Should not Transport for London equipment misuse leading to harassment be punishable under the Public Order Act 1986?
I am familiar with the case raised. I contacted British Transport police after seeing disturbing footage, confirming a suspended staff member is under investigation. The incident is taken seriously by both BTP and London Underground.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q19 Direct Answer
Liz Twist Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Context
A dispute between Go North East and its employees highlights the need for better, more streamlined franchising models to give communities a greater say on transport.
Is it not essential that we have better, more streamlined franchising models for local bus services so that communities like Blaydon can have a greater say in their transport offer?
The hon. Lady welcomed the news of settlement between Go North East and Unite, and also welcomes £163.5 million into bus service improvement plans including options for bus franchising available to all local authorities.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q20 Direct Answer
Context
The reopening of an 11-mile missing track connecting Lancashire and Yorkshire would be fundamental for linking these areas back up.
Will the Minister consider progressing this railway line to the next phase, including drawing up a full business case? Will he meet Members to discuss it further?
I would be pleased to meet my hon. Friend and all right hon. Friends and colleagues. The Department has been working with Transport for the North, Lancashire County Council, and campaign groups on strengthening the case for reopening that line.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Stephanie Peacock Lab
Barnsley South
Context
The Mayor of South Yorkshire requested £8 million to restore bus services cut in the past year, not just to 2022 levels as previously stated by the Minister.
In response to a previous question, it was claimed that the Mayor asked for £8 million to restore bus services. However, this request is specifically for restoring cuts made last year. Will the government reconsider the funding needed for South Yorkshire?
The response acknowledges that £1.6 million has been allocated this year with an additional £1.6 million next year, along with nearly £8 million more. The Minister also mentions a significant amount—half a billion pounds—of city region sustainable transport settlement funding for South Yorkshire, which will almost triple in the following period.
Assessment & feedback
The specific request to review and increase funding was not addressed directly, focusing instead on existing funding commitments.
Response accuracy
Q22 Partial Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
The question concerns the proposed extension of LNER services from King's Cross to Lincoln, through to Cleethorpes.
When will Ministers give LNER permission to extend its service from King's Cross-Lincoln to Cleethorpes?
The Minister hopes to make an announcement shortly regarding the extension of LNER services from King's Cross-Lincoln to Cleethorpes.
Assessment & feedback
A specific date for the decision was not provided, only that it will be made soon.
Response accuracy
Q23 Partial Answer
Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem
North East Fife
Context
The Department was expected to report on medical licences for fishermen this week but has not done so.
According to regulations, the review should have been published by now. When will it be released? Additionally, when will the department start listening to concerns raised by fishermen?
The Minister met representatives from the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations recently and promises to make policy announcements soon. The department will keep the federation informed, as it does with Members of Parliament.
Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline for publishing the review or addressing concerns was provided.
Response accuracy
Q24 Partial Answer
David Simmonds Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Context
The Mayor of London proposed to abolish the travelcard scheme but later intervened to save it from his own plans.
How can my right hon. Friend explain to constituents why the Mayor of London first wanted to abolish the travelcard and then tried to take credit for saving it?
The Minister finds the Mayor's change in stance surprising, suggesting that others who raised concerns about his original proposal deserve more credit than the Mayor does.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the question directly but criticized the Mayor's actions and intentions instead.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy
Q25 Partial Answer
Context
Former head of land acquisitions for HS2 alleged that people were short-changed and not given full value for their properties along the route.
What does the Secretary of State think about allegations made by Andrew Bruce, former head of land acquisitions for HS2, regarding property valuation in the acquisition process?
The Minister expects that those who sold their property will be offered it back at current market value. He states he will discuss the hon. Member's allegations further so as to understand the case thoroughly.
Assessment & feedback
No commitment was made to investigate or address the specific allegations raised.
Response accuracy
Q26 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent's son was assaulted outside a Manchester City match and no arrests have been made despite clear CCTV footage.
Will the Minister meet me to discuss this distressing case involving an unprovoked attack on my constituent's son, and consider more widely the remit and resourcing of British Transport police?
The Minister will raise the incident specifically with British Transport police. He also expresses willingness to meet the hon. Member to discuss the matter further.
Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q27 Partial Answer
Dave Doogan SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Context
In Scotland, under-22s travel for free on public transport funded by the Scottish Government. The questioner challenges the English government to match this support.
Will the English Government provide similar support to commuters in England, or are they too proud to follow Scotland's lead?
The Minister argues that fares in Scotland have increased by over 10% annually, contrasting this with falling fares in England and highlighting the £2 fare cap for those in low-paid work or seeking employment.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific request to match Scotland's free travel policy but instead compared fare structures negatively.
Criticized Opposition
Response accuracy