Covid-19 Support for the Rail Industry 2021-01-28
2021-01-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the level of financial assistance provided to the rail industry amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
What financial support his Department is providing to the rail industry during the covid-19 outbreak?
The 2020 spending review provided a total of £10.1 billion of confirmed funding for the Department for Transport to support passenger rail services in England during the covid outbreak.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns over significant service reductions on rail lines such as Greater Anglia and c2c, with constituents reporting difficulty in maintaining social distancing. He sought assurance that adequate funding is being allocated to ensure safe operations.
The service on both the Greater Anglia and c2c lines has been significantly cut during the latest lockdowns. Many constituents have contacted me to tell me that social distancing is near impossible on the few trains that are being run. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that enough money is being given to allow train operators to run a safe service?
My hon. Friend from nearly the city of Southend is absolutely right to mention the importance of keeping the right level of trains running. I mentioned that we funded £10.1 billion—an unprecedented amount—to keep these trains running during the covid crisis to make sure that essential workers can get to work. Of course people should not be travelling to work unless they cannot do that work from home. He will be interested to know that there have been discussions with Build UK and the Construction Leadership Council, particularly on that c2c line and concern about those trains coming into Canning Town. We will keep a close eye on this, and I have asked Sir Peter Hendy, the chair of Network Rail, to also work to ensure that we are alerted as soon as there are any signs of congestion and make sure that these lines can operate safely.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assurance regarding sufficient funding for safe operations during lockdowns was not directly addressed; focus on general discussions and future monitoring efforts without concrete financial commitments.
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Under Review
Response accuracy