Transport for the North and Levelling Up 2022-03-17
2022-03-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussions about reductions in Transport for the North's budget, which could affect levelling up efforts in northern England.
What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of reductions in Transport for the North's budget on levelling up in the north of England?
Transport for the North's core funding for financial year 2022-23 totals £6.5 million, a rise of £500,000 on the previous year. This funding is in addition to the Government's historic £96 billion integrated rail plan.
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Assessment & feedback
The response did not address the specific discussions with Cabinet colleagues about potential impacts on levelling up efforts.
Focused On Process While We Continue To Focus On Delivery
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
On November 18, Ministers ignored TfN's recommendations in the integrated rail plan and reduced its funding by 37%. The organization has limited control over staffing decisions.
Shall we try again on this? On 18 November, the same day that Ministers ignored TfN's recommendations in the disappointing integrated rail plan, Whitehall also removed powers from TfN and levelled down its funding by 37%; the main devolved power Ministers have left with TfN is over making staff redundant. Does the Minister agree with the TfN chair, Lord Patrick McLoughlin, that funding cuts to TfN will mean 'down-sizing of the organisation which in turn will result in redundancies'?
The right hon. Lady continues to focus on process while we continue to focus on delivery. It is not for the Government to comment on the business planning of a devolved transport body. TfN definitely has enough money to complete its statutory funding commitments, and it has far more money than any other sub-national transport body.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not directly address the question about agreeing with TfN Chair's warning on downsizing and redundancies due to funding cuts.
Focuses On Delivery Rather Than Process
Declines To Comment On Business Planning
Response accuracy