Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-UK Transport Links

Thursday 24 June 2021 · 3 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

  • Jack Brereton raised concerns about reduced train services through Stoke-on-Trent due to East Midlands Railway's new timetable.
  • Simon Jupp urged for a speedier review of air passenger duty to support the struggling aviation industry and Exeter airport.
  • Mike Kane highlighted the critical role of regional airports in connecting regions and raised concerns about the collapse of Stobart Air and easyJet closures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Brereton Con
Transport
Context

East Midlands Railway reduced train services through Stoke-on-Trent, halving them to every two hours with only two days' notice. The MP is seeking urgent action to restore these vital rail connections.

Question

Following only two days' notice, this week East Midlands Railway has halved the train services through Stoke-on-Trent on the Crewe-Derby-Newark line to a train only every two hours. Will my hon. Friend work with the Secretary of State to look urgently at what can be done to restore these vital rail services and further improve local rail in my constituency?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for supporting those vital rail links. East Midlands Railway has introduced a new timetable, but I understand that a number of challenges arose because of a different fleet, train crew issues and sickness. This resulted in the need to swiftly implement timetable changes, but it now needs to provide passengers with a robust and reliable service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any concrete actions or timelines for restoring services.

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Q2 Simon Jupp
Business & Trade
Context

Confidence in the aviation industry is low due to operational challenges, necessitating further financial support. The MP seeks acceleration of air passenger duty review.

Question

Confidence within the aviation industry and among passengers is at an all-time low—it is shattered. The travel industry will take longer than most industries to get back to business and will need further support to survive. Will my hon. Friend speed up the review of air passenger duty and explore extending business rates relief to regional airports to help the industry weather this terrible storm?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I absolutely commend my hon. Friend for being a continued champion for Exeter airport in his constituency, which provides jobs and employment for many of his constituents. The Treasury is currently reviewing responses and will update on timing in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timelines or concrete actions related to speeding up the review or extending business rates relief.

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Q3 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Transport
Context

Several major airline operators have ceased operations at regional airports, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of these critical transport hubs.

Question

To follow on from the question asked by the hon. Member for East Devon (Simon Jupp), regional airports play a critical role in connecting our regions and our Union. This month, Stobart Air collapsed, and easyJet is to close its bases at Newcastle International, London Stansted and London Southend airports; Teesside and Newquay have previously shut their doors. Without a sector-specific deal, our regional airports, the connectivity that they provide and the jobs and communities that they support are at risk. What assessment has the Department made of the long-term viability of this critical infrastructure to our nation?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

As the hon. Gentleman will know, we fully recognise and support the importance of the aviation industry to our country. This Government have stood behind the sector and provided up to £7 billion of support for jobs through the furlough scheme and support for airports and the airline industry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific assessment on long-term viability or address recent closures directly.

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