Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Bus Manufacturers

Thursday 17 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to providing at least 4000 British-built zero-emission buses through a 5 billion funding package for buses and cycling.
  • Government has provided over 700 million in support for the bus and light rail sector, including a 50 million investment.
  • Minister agrees with the need to expedite the release of funds to avoid a crisis for manufacturers like Alexander Dennis Plaxton in Scarborough.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Goodwill Con
Energy Business & Trade Environment
Context

Scarborough and Whitby constituency faces challenges in the bus manufacturing industry. In a tough year, Alexander Dennis Plaxton is particularly affected.

Question

What steps are being taken to support UK bus manufacturers in Scarborough and Whitby constituency and across England? The 2020 year has been difficult for operators but worse for manufacturers like Alexander Dennis Plaxton. Despite the £5 billion funding package announced, there's a need for quick implementation to prevent production line crises.

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

We are committed to providing at least 4,000 British-built zero-emission buses through our £5 billion funding package for buses and cycling. The Government has already provided over £700 million in support for the bus and light rail sector, including a £50 million investment for Britain's first all-electric bus town and a £20 million rural mobility fund to support additional jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The need for quick implementation of the funding package was not directly addressed with a specific timeline or commitment.

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Q2 Robert Goodwill Con
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

Bus manufacturing firms like Alexander Dennis Plaxton in Scarborough are struggling. The MP highlights the £5 billion funding package announced earlier but calls for urgent action to prevent production line crises.

Question

In a tough year, it has been even worse for manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis Plaxton in Scarborough. We have heard of the £5 billion announced for 4,000 zero-emission British-built buses, but does the Minister agree that we need to get this money out quickly if we are to avoid a crisis on production lines?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. I completely agree with what he says, and I commend him for what he has been doing to support manufacturers in his constituency. The Government have announced over £700 million in support for the bus and light rail sector already to date, and we are also providing £50 million for Britain's first all-electric bus town and the £20 million rural mobility fund, which will support additional jobs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific need for quick implementation was acknowledged but no concrete timeline or commitment was given.

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