Transport for London Long-term Funding Settlement 2022-10-13
2022-10-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from concerns over the progress of Transport for London in making agreed savings under a long-term funding settlement.
What recent discussions has she had with Transport for London on its progress on making the agreed savings under the long-term funding settlement of 30 August 2022?
This is not remotely intimidating! The longer-term settlement agreed with the Mayor in August sets a framework for Government funding until March 2024 and gives certainty on transport in London. It is based on commitments made by the Mayor during previous agreements and it is now down to the Mayor and Transport for London to deliver. Progress under the most recent funding settlement will be regularly monitored to ensure fairness to the national taxpayer.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about recent discussions was not addressed, only general monitoring mentioned.
This Is Not Remotely Intimidating!
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP commemorates a tragic event at Harrow & Wealdstone station and questions the Mayor's commitment to delivering £500 million in savings as part of the TfL funding settlement.
I thank the Minister for that answer. May I also commemorate the tragedy that took place 70 years ago last weekend at Harrow & Wealdstone station, in my constituency? A number of events were held in Harrow to commemorate that event, and I thank the Minister of State, Department for Transport, the hon. Member for Torbay (Kevin Foster) for mentioning it. On the long-term settlement for TfL, the Mayor has committed £500 million-worth of savings, but thus far we have heard nothing about what savings are to be made, and it appears that no progress has been made. Will the Under-Secretary commit to holding the Mayor to account and making sure that those savings are resolved before that funding is provided to TfL?
The long-term funding settlement does not include a condition that requires the Mayor to make or report on specific savings targets. It is for the Mayor and TfL to deliver within the funding outlined in the settlement, which provides security until March 2024 and is the fifth package of support the Government have provided to TfL for covid recovery. I remind the House that TfL was originally set up to be independent of central government in terms of its income and spend. The current settlement returns to that model as a whole, and it is for the London Mayor to decide how he controls his costs and looks for efficiencies within TfL. We will continue to monitor his progress to ensure that taxpayers' money is used fairly to support London's commuters.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about holding the Mayor accountable was not addressed, only general monitoring mentioned.
It Does Not Include A Condition
It Is For The Mayor And Tfl
Response accuracy