Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infrastructure: Impact on Business Investment

Thursday 7 March 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • High-quality infrastructure is crucial for economic growth, with the UK attracting more inward investment than any other European country since 2010.
  • The UK government has 53,600 public charge points and plans to deliver tens of thousands more through various funds.
  • The government announced extra support for local transport plans, including rail, road, buses, and potholes, with Network Rail receiving 36 billion for transport improvements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Economy Transport Business & Trade
Context

Concern about the potential impact of infrastructure decisions on levels of business investment, referencing previous government promises.

Question

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of infrastructure on levels of business investment. The questioner highlighted that high-quality infrastructure is crucial for economic growth and questioned whether the cancellation of High Speed 2 has led to reduced investment along the route, impacting business development in cities like Birmingham and Manchester.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

High-quality infrastructure is crucial for economic growth, as exemplified by significant inward investment in UK offshore wind farms. The government has secured £30 billion from the Global Investment Summit and since 2010 has attracted more inward investment than any other European country. Regarding HS2 cancellation, additional funding of £4.7 billion was announced for local transport authorities in the north and midlands to ensure decisions are made locally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the specific ask about assessing the impact of HS2 cancellation on business investments.

How: Changed Subject To Overall Investment Successes

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Q2 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Transport Energy
Context

Concern about the UK falling behind in electric vehicle infrastructure compared to other countries, specifically France's goal of having 400,000 installations by 2030.

Question

The Government's decision to defer the banning of petrol and diesel vehicles until 2035 has led to uncertainty among consumers and investors. The questioner noted that UK lacks ambition compared to other countries such as France with plans for more charging points by 2030. He asked what plans exist to ensure the UK's investment in electric vehicle infrastructure keeps up with competitors.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

We have 53,600 public charge points and funds like the rapid charging fund and local EV infrastructure fund. The Department for Transport works with local authorities to ensure they have charging strategies. A £381 million local EV infrastructure fund will deliver tens of thousands more charging points, including support for on-street residential charge points.

Answered
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Q3 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Economy Transport
Context

Concern about the cancellation of HS2 leading to a reduction in rail infrastructure investment, affecting businesses along potential routes.

Question

The MP noted that any disagreement with the Minister's reply would be unusual and highlighted that High Speed 2's cancellation could result in less new high-technology job opportunities. He asked if replacing funding for local government potholes was a better use of resources than HS2 investment.

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

Just last week, we announced extra support available for local transport plans covering rail, road, buses and potholes. Network Rail received £36 billion from the Government to improve transport in every region of the UK, while an additional £4.7 billion was made available for local transport authorities in the north and midlands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask about the impact on high-tech job opportunities due to swapping HS2 funding.

How: Shifted Focus To General Support For Local Transportation

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