Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Emergency Funding Agreement London 2020-09-17

2020-09-17

View full transcript on Parliament.uk -->
TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Feryal Clark Lab
Enfield North
▸ Context
The question arises from the expiration of the emergency funding agreement on 17 October 2020, concerning discussions with Transport for London and the Mayor of London.
What recent discussions he has had with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) Transport for London on the expiration of the emergency funding agreement on 17 October 2020.
Andrew Stephenson
The Department regularly engages with Transport for London and the Mayor, including in relation to understanding the impact of covid-19.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions on the expiration of emergency funding agreement
General Statement About Engagement
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Feryal Clark Lab
Enfield North
▸ Context
Private train operating companies received emergency funding in March, while Transport for London was granted similar support only in May. This question seeks clarification on the delay and assurance of urgent additional support.
Private train operating companies were told on 23 March, just as lockdown began, that the Government would take on all their revenue and cost risks and support them through the pandemic. By contrast, Transport for London was not granted this emergency funding deal until 14 May. Will the Minister explain why that is and reassure Londoners that the additional emergency support that TfL needs will be confirmed as a matter of urgency, rather than being left until the eleventh hour like last time?
Andrew Stephenson
The Government agreed a £1.6 billion funding package in May. But let us be clear that Transport for London's finances were in trouble well before covid-19, with a projected deficit of £220 million last year and £422 million the year before. Many of the financial problems can be directly traced to poor decision making by the current Mayor of London.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Explanation regarding delay in funding and urgent confirmation of additional support
Redirecting Blame On Previous Decisions Highlighting Pre-Existing Financial Issues
Response accuracy