Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Economic Growth: Transport Infrastructure

Tuesday 8 April 2025 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial confirmation that the Portishead and Pill railway line supports regional and national strategic objectives.
  • The Minister acknowledged the potential significant economic impact on northern Lincolnshire if steel production at the Scunthorpe steelworks ceases.
  • The Minister stated that discussions are ongoing regarding contingency plans and transport infrastructure improvements for the Scunthorpe steelworks situation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sadik Al-Hassan Lab North Somerset
Economy Transport
Context

The MP questions the value of a recently announced railway line in his constituency.

Question

What value does my right hon. Friend expect that the recently announced and much-anticipated Portishead and Pill railway line will add to the local economy of my constituency of North Somerset?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

First, I congratulate my hon. Friend on his campaigning on this issue. As I represent the neighbouring constituency, I declare that the project may have some indirect benefit for my constituents. I can confirm to the House that the project supports regional and national strategic objectives. The West of England is the most productive city region outside of London, and it is set to continue to grow. An efficient and reliable rail link between Bristol and Portishead will support a range of large and small sites for housing and employment across the region, halving journey times and opening a wide range of job and leisure opportunities for the residents of North Somerset.

Answered
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Q2 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Economy Transport Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential closure or curtailment of steel production at Scunthorpe steelworks.

Question

If steel production ceases or is curtailed at the Scunthorpe steelworks, there will be a massive impact on the wider economy in northern Lincolnshire. Can the Minister give an assurance that contingency plans, including improvements to transport infrastructure, are in place should the worst happen?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

We recognise how important this issue is for the hon. Member’s constituency, the region and, indeed, the national economy. My ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade are in discussions on this particular issue, but in our infrastructure strategy we are considering, as he would expect, the best value for aligning investments between housing, rail, energy and other types of infrastructure to deliver growth for everyone, in every region of the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific assurances about contingency plans

How: Considering

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Q3 Gareth Davies Con Grantham and Bourne
Climate Energy
Context

The MP questions the government's stance on airport expansion and its impact on air travel costs.

Question

We know that the Energy Secretary is against airport expansion unless it is in Doncaster, and we know that many Labour MPs are against airport expansion unless it is in Pakistan. To be fair, at least the Chancellor wants airport expansion actually in this country, but at the same time she is jacking up air passenger duty by as much as 16%. Only this Chancellor could be pro-airport, but anti-passenger. Labour’s Climate Change Committee wants to see air passenger numbers fall by 2030, so I ask the Minister: does he?

Answer from Darren Jones (Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

No.

Not addressed: explicit support for reducing air passenger numbers

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