Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bus Driver Shortages

Thursday 17 March 2022 · 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

  • Bus drivers worked tirelessly during the pandemic but now face reduced pay and poor working conditions.
  • The Government provided 1.7 billion funding for local buses during the pandemic period.
  • Additional six months of covid-19 support package for 150 million was announced.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Employment Transport
Context

Bus drivers kept essential services running during the pandemic but now face reduced pay and poor working conditions, leading to a significant shortage of drivers.

Question

During the pandemic, bus drivers worked tirelessly at risk to their health. Now many face reduced pay and poor conditions, with employers using fire-and-rehire tactics. As a result, drivers are leaving in droves due to these issues. What steps is the Government taking to improve pay and conditions for bus drivers and address this shortage?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

I join in paying tribute to bus drivers who worked throughout the pandemic. The Government provided £1.7 billion funding for local buses during this period. We do not intervene on pay levels in private businesses except setting national minimum wage and living wage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to improve pay and conditions of bus drivers, encouragement strategies to join the industry

How: We Do Not Intervene On Pay Levels In Private Businesses

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Q2 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Employment Transport
Context

During the pandemic, bus drivers worked under considerable risk to health. Now facing reduced pay and conditions, many are leaving due to fire-and-rehire tactics by employers.

Question

Bus drivers worked tirelessly during the pandemic but now face reduced pay and poor working conditions leading to a mass exodus from the industry. What steps is the Government taking to improve their pay and conditions and address this critical shortage?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

Similarly, my grandfather was a bus driver so I stand in solidarity with them. The Government has supported buses with record funding, doubling it compared to previous spending reviews. We also announced an additional six months of the covid-19 support package for £150 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to improve pay and conditions, encouragement strategies

How: We Do Not Intervene On Pay Levels In Private Businesses

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Q3 Sam Tarry
Employment Transport
Context

During the pandemic, bus drivers faced considerable health risks to keep vital services running. Now a Unite survey reports that 99% of garages face driver shortages due to low pay and poor conditions.

Question

Bus drivers worked tirelessly during the pandemic but now facing reduced pay and poor working conditions leading to a mass exodus from the industry. What steps will be taken by operators to reward these efforts and improve conditions?

Answer from Andrew Stephenson

My grandfather was a bus driver, so I stand in solidarity with them. The Government has supported buses with record funding, doubling it compared to previous spending reviews. We also announced an additional six months of the covid-19 support package for £150 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures by operators to improve pay and conditions

How: We Do Not Intervene On Pay Levels In Private Businesses

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

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