Access to Employment Rural Areas 2022-05-16
2022-05-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The levelling-up agenda seeks to improve socio-economic conditions across the UK, particularly focusing on rural areas lacking car access.
What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on taking steps to improve access to employment for those without car access in (a) North Shropshire and (b) other rural areas as part of the levelling-up agenda?
The levelling-up fund announced at the last spending review saw £1.7 billion awarded to 105 successful projects across the UK, including projects to improve access to employment for those without the use of a car in rural areas.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions and steps taken or planned were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Market Drayton in North Shropshire faces significant cuts to bus services, affecting weekend access. The area has not received funding from the Bus Back Better fund.
Market Drayton and a number of other towns in North Shropshire are seeing cuts to their bus services, with Market Drayton set to lose them all together at weekends. It has received none of the funding that it has applied for to date, including from the Bus Back Better fund. Like many other towns across Britain, its beautiful high street is struggling to recover from the pandemic. For such towns that have been unsuccessful in their bids so far, and where people are struggling to get in and out of them, what is the Government's plan to level them up?
The hon. Lady needs to work with her local transport authority—that would be Shropshire Council—to look into resolving those issues. The pandemic had a huge impact on the delivery of local services and the Government provided nearly £1.86 billion in grant funding for bus services in England. Shropshire Council received about £2.17 million of that, so I encourage her to speak to the council to see what it, along with commercial bus operators, can do.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or commitments to address the immediate issue of bus service cuts and town recovery were not provided.
Encouraged Questioner To Speak Directly To Local Council
Response accuracy