Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Decarbonisation

Thursday 29 April 2021 · 5 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The transport decarbonisation plan will set out contributions to net zero and work with international partners ahead of COP26.
  • The Department will provide 2 billion for active travel, with Barnett consequentials impacting Scotland.
  • The Department is investing in research and development of hydrogen technology for decarbonising the shipping industry.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas Chapman SNP
Transport Climate
Context

The question arises from the UK government's commitment to decarbonisation under international agreements and upcoming COP26 discussions.

Question

What recent steps has the Department taken to help facilitate transport decarbonisation in line with commitments to the Paris agreement and COP26?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The transport decarbonisation plan will set out transport contributions to net zero, and we continue to work with our international partners ahead of COP26.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any recent steps or initiatives taken by the department.

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Q2 Drew Hendry SNP
Transport Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government's higher investment in cycling and active travel compared to England has led the SNP to pledge even greater investment, prompting a comparison of ambition.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that increasing active travel investment to over 10% of the transport capital budget is essential for real change, as promised by the Scottish Government?

Answer from Grant Shapps

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me an opportunity to talk about our active travel plans. With £2 billion-worth of spending, the Barnett consequentials from that will no doubt give him something to boast about in the future—but invented in Downing Street and, I hope, delivered in Scotland.

Not addressed: Did not address whether UK government would match Scotland's pledge; instead focused on funding distribution.

How: Focusing On Funding Distribution Rather Than Commitment

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Q3 Douglas Chapman SNP
Transport Climate
Context

The shipping industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, necessitating support from the government towards decarbonisation.

Question

What support will the Department provide to maritime and shipping sectors as part of the commitment to net zero shipping?

Answer from Grant Shapps

That is absolutely right. The shipping industry is one of the harder to decarbonise areas of the economy. However, technologies such as hydrogen have a big part to play, so this Government are putting a lot of research and development investment behind hydrogen in particular with a view to shipping. We have just announced the Teesside hydrogen hub, the country's first, to help develop more of those technologies, and the hon. Gentleman will not be disappointed by our ambition through our transport decarbonisation plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on current support or funding for maritime shipping sectors.

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Q4 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport Climate
Context

A comparison between UK government's commitment to green buses versus the Scottish Government's proactive approach.

Question

Will you match Scotland's ambitious plan for reducing car journeys by 20% every decade with similar commitments in England?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Once again, I am very pleased that the Barnett consequentials ensure that money is available to spend in Scotland. We should welcome the fact that £3 billion is going to buses. The hon. Gentleman mentions the £120 million we have announced for zero-emission buses in 2021-22, which will give many hundreds of buses a start on the production line. We are on target to deliver all 4,000 that we have promised to start building in this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to matching Scotland's ambitious plan but mentioned existing plans for green buses.

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Q5 Gavin Newlands SNP
Climate Scotland
Context

The SNP has proposed several initiatives to decarbonise transport, prompting a comparison with the UK government's efforts.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that if Scots want a progressive and decarbonised future it must be votes SNP next Thursday?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Funnily enough, I do not agree. It is worth the hon. Gentleman's Scottish voters understanding that that money is available through the Barnett consequentials. If bus services were as good as is claimed, then it would not be the case that in Dundee bus users were being warned just last November to expect big changes to services, the worst since the 1950s, which would have negative impacts for older people and those dependent on bus services. I do not think it is quite as rosy as he likes to make it sound. This Government in Westminster are committed to decarbonising the whole of the United Kingdom.

Not addressed: Did not agree or disagree with the necessity for SNP votes but attacked claims about Scottish bus services.

How: Attacking Opponent'S Claims

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