Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Publicly-controlled Bus Services: Ringfenced Funding

Thursday 10 October 2024 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to reforming bus funding to give local authorities more control and flexibility.
  • Government aims to put passengers first in their bus service reforms.
  • Government's forthcoming bus Bill will increase powers available to local leaders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Transport Local Government
Context

The question arises from the need for better public transport in constituencies like Blyth and Ashington, where funding and control over bus services are critical.

Question

If she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the provision of ringfenced funding for local authorities to deliver publicly-controlled bus services.

Answer from Simon Lightwood

As part of our plan to deliver better bus services, the Government have committed to reforming bus funding by giving local authorities the tools they need to ensure services reflect the needs of the communities they serve. We want to give local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding, and allow them to plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. We are considering how best to support buses in the longer term as part of the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ringfenced funding commitment

How: We Are Committed, Considering How Best

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Q2 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Transport
Context

The question follows up on the Better Buses Bill, focusing on ensuring adequate driver compensation and community involvement in route planning.

Question

The Government's better buses Bill is a fantastic example of what a Labour Government can achieve and do. For the Bill to be successful, if funding is made available, we must ensure bus drivers are paid adequately and local residents have an input into the design, regularity and quality of routes. Will the Minister confirm that that will form part of the Bill and that this Labour Government will end the Tories' 14-year ideological war on municipal transport?

Answer from Simon Lightwood

I agree with my hon. Friend. I reassure him that we are committed to delivering better bus services and that we will always put passengers first. Our forthcoming bus Bill is a crucial part of our reforms. When it is introduced later in this Session, it will increase powers available to local leaders, because those local leaders are best placed to make decisions on their bus networks, and remove the Conservatives' ideological ban on municipal bus companies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments regarding driver pay and public input

How: We Are Committed, Always Put Passengers First

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