Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Investment in UK Infrastructure

Tuesday 17 May 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to investing in infrastructure to boost economic growth.
  • Chalkwell station on C2C line included in 350 million Access for All programme.
  • Minister welcomes meeting with local authorities to discuss fast-tracking dualing of rail line in Lake District.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna Firth
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is asking about fiscal steps taken to support UK infrastructure.

Question

What fiscal steps has the government taken to support investment in UK infrastructure?

Answer from Helen Whately

The Government are committed to investing in infrastructure to boost economic growth across the country, and I was delighted to see this at first hand when visiting my hon. Friend's constituency of Southend West last week, where the local authority has secured £19.9 million from the levelling up fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific fiscal steps not detailed

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Q2 Anna Firth
Employment Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of access at Chalkwell station.

Question

Every station on the C2C line in Southend West is access friendly except for Chalkwell station, which has 30 steep steps. What further support or funding can be provided to ensure accessibility?

Answer from Helen Whately

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to campaign for better access to stations for disabled people. I am pleased to confirm that Chalkwell is included in the Department for Transport's £350 million Access for All programme, and that construction will begin to install a new footbridge and lift this autumn.

Answered
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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is criticizing the government for cutting promised infrastructure investments.

Question

The Government have cut infrastructure promises, particularly in Northern Powerhouse Rail. Does this show a lack of interest in economic infrastructure needs in the north and midlands?

Answer from Helen Whately

I simply do not recognise the picture that the hon. Member is painting. This Government are absolutely committed to investing in infrastructure because that is at the heart of our ambitions for economic growth and levelling up across the country, including £96 billion for the integrated infrastructure rail plan for the north of the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific rail cuts not addressed

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Q4 Bim Afolami Con
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is asking about improving the deliverability of infrastructure projects.

Question

I welcome increased investment in infrastructure, but for it to be useful we need practical improvements. What are the Government doing to improve the efficacy of this money?

Answer from Helen Whately

That is an excellent question from my hon. Friend. We are not only investing in infrastructure but making sure that taxpayers' money gets put to good use. One way we are doing that is by working with the Infrastructure and Products Authority and with Project SPEED, which specifically scrutinises the most important infrastructure projects in this country to ensure that we are doing a better job of making taxpayers' money go further and doing it cleaner and greener as we go.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not detailed

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Q5 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the single track rail link to Windermere.

Question

After London, the Lake district is the most popular visitor destination with 19 million visitors a year. Its only direct rail link has a single track from Oxenholme to Windermere. Will the Minister meet me and local authorities to fast-track dualing of this line?

Answer from Helen Whately

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The growth of tourism is really important as part of the wider economic growth of the country, and I would be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman to talk about his proposal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action promised

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Q6 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is seeking a meeting to discuss infrastructure needs around the Humber ports.

Question

Immingham and Grimsby are part of the Humber ports freeport project. Will the Minister meet me and neighbouring MPs to discuss an upgrade for the A180?

Answer from Helen Whately

I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the upgrade to that road. As I have said, we know that infrastructure is really important in supporting economic growth and levelling up all around the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific action promised

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