Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Spending Priorities: Autumn Statement

Thursday 24 November 2022 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Chancellor announced a plan to invest over 600 billion in infrastructure over five years.
  • The Secretary of State will work closely with the Scottish Government on shared priorities.
  • Spending on transport in rural areas will be considered as plans are developed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Grant SNP
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is assessing the Department's spending priorities in light of the autumn statement 2022.

Question

What assessment has been made of his Department's spending priorities in the context of the autumn statement 2022?

Answer from Mark Harper

The Chancellor announced a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and rebuild the economy, investing more than £600 billion in infrastructure over the next five years. Transport investment will play a significant role, and the Government aims to deliver a stable long-term transport network.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an assessment of spending priorities specifically in context of autumn statement 2022 but response was more general about future plans.

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Q2 Peter Grant SNP
Transport Scotland
Context

The MP is comparing UK transport spending cuts with Ireland's recent budget increase for the same economic impacts.

Question

In contrast to Ireland, real-terms cuts in transport spending will impact England and devolved nations. Will the Secretary of State ensure that transport needs outside London are not sacrificed? Does he agree all public transport infrastructure spending in Scotland should follow Scottish Government priorities?

Answer from Mark Harper

Inflation is a global issue driven by recovery from the pandemic and Russia's war. The Secretary of State will work closely with the Scottish Government on shared priorities as per Peter Hendy's Union connectivity review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for commitment to protect funding but response was more about inflation and working with Scottish government.

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Q3 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the need to prioritize transport spending in rural areas for levelling up.

Question

Will the Secretary of State make spending in rural areas a priority? Will he look at the urgent need for Leicestershire County Council to build Melton bypass? Will he recognize that rurality matters when reviewing accident hotspots?

Answer from Mark Harper

Spending on transport in rural areas will be considered as plans are developed following the autumn statement settlement. The Secretary of State is aware of extra challenges in rural areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for prioritization but response was more about being aware of rural challenges without specific commitments.

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Q4 Louise Haigh Lab Sheffield Heeley
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the reliability and affordability of bus services due to lack of adequate funding.

Question

How much of the promised bus service improvement funding has been handed out? Will applications be reopened for those who did not get any funding in the initial round?

Answer from Mark Harper

Local authorities received bids for more than £1 billion, with 34 selected to benefit from the funding. Further practical support is offered to all areas without new funding. A further round of funding will be considered in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about actual disbursement and reopening applications but response was more about bidding process and future rounds.

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