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Zero-emission Buses
21 May 2024
Lead MP
Ian Paisley Jnr
Responding Minister
Guy Opperman
Tags
EconomyTaxationNorthern IrelandForeign AffairsScience & TechnologyEnergyBusiness & TradeLocal Government
Word Count: 12880
Other Contributors: 8
At a Glance
Ian Paisley Jnr raised concerns about zero-emission buses in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks for the Department for Transport to ensure no ZEBRA funding is used for non-UK made buses, encourage bus operators to place greater emphasis on social value and wider economic community impact when evaluating tenders, set an ambitious plan ensuring a quarter of all British buses will be emission-free by 2030, create a framework for zero-emission vehicles supply, conduct a review of how other countries prioritise domestic content in their tender processes, and investigate allegations of unfair practices.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The lead MP is concerned that the ZEBRA scheme, which promises £312 million to fund 2,270 zero-emission buses, will see 46% of these buses manufactured outside the UK. He highlights that some local authorities are buying Chinese-made buses, undermining British manufacturers and their supply chains. The MP also raises ethical concerns about purchasing from companies linked to forced labour in China.
Ben Bradley
Con
Armed Forces
Mr Bradley highlighted the positive impacts of ZEBRA funding in Nottinghamshire, including £13 million for 23 new electric buses in Mansfield. He noted challenges with charging infrastructure and hydrogen fuel technology in rural areas. He also discussed partnerships to support young people entering the sector through work experience programs.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Agreed with most of the DUP's points but disagreed with their final statement. Highlighted that only 3,000 out of 40,000 buses are zero-emission and that a significant number were manufactured outside the UK, primarily in China. Praised the Scottish Government for procuring many zero-emission buses but noted that most are Chinese-manufactured. Emphasized the need to retain highly skilled jobs within the UK. I questioned whether the Department for Transport's roll-out of zero-emission buses was successful, referencing a previous report that Scotland had ordered over 10 zero-emission buses per 100,000 people compared to just 0.94 outside of London.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
He congratulated his hon. Friend on securing the debate and emphasised the importance of UK-made buses in response to challenges from China and other eastern countries, calling for a strong government stance.
Iain Stewart
Con
Milton Keynes South
Mr Stewart highlighted the importance of a vibrant zero-emission bus network and called for fair competition, emphasizing that wider issues such as social value points should be considered. He also raised concerns about hidden subsidies in foreign competitors which could distort market conditions.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
My hon. Friend raised concerns about human rights abuses associated with cheaper bus production in China and questioned the necessity of central Government intervention to prevent councils from purchasing such buses or products. The MP expressed concern over the funding allocated under the ZEBRA scheme being used to purchase buses from outside the UK, urging for more support for British manufacturers. Jim Shannon praised the work of Wrightbus in North Antrim and highlighted concerns about Chinese human rights abuses. He supported the funding for zero-emission buses and stressed the importance of prioritising local manufacturing companies like Wrightbus to meet environmental obligations.
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
East Lothian
Mr MacAskill praised the analysis presented by the hon. Member for North Antrim, agreeing on the necessity of UK-made buses and criticising imported Chinese vehicles as scandalous. He mentioned a claim from Unite that London buses bought from China could be £100,000 cheaper but warned this could undermine UK manufacturers, leading to higher taxpayer costs in the long term due to social issues like unemployment. Mr MacAskill advocated for decarbonisation through hydrogen fuelled buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis Ltd, highlighting benefits such as reduced grid strain and suitability for rural areas with limited charging infrastructure.
Paul Girvan
DUP
Strangford
I pointed out that some neighbouring countries provide state aid to their companies, allowing them to export at reduced rates and gain an advantage over UK companies. This suggests that the UK may be too strict in adhering to rules compared to its neighbours.
Simon Lightwood
Lab Co-op
Wakefield and Rothwell
The official Opposition highlights the need for a vibrant zero-emission bus fleet in the UK, with most manufactured domestically. The ZEBRA scheme has fallen short of its target, achieving only 313 buses on the road out of an initial pledge of 4,000. Lightwood raises concerns about lack of clarity from the Government regarding ending new diesel bus sales and insufficient support for British bus manufacturers like Wrightbus, ADL, and Optare.
Government Response
Guy Opperman
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Rosindell. I congratulate the hon. Member for North Antrim on securing the debate and thank the Backbench Business Committee for recommending it. The UK has a proud history in bus manufacturing, employing over 3,000 people across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Wrightbus has produced the first hydrogen-powered double-decker bus, while Alexander Dennis continues to innovate with electric buses, resulting in 2,300 zero-emission buses on UK roads so far. The UK is committed to supporting the automotive industry's transition to zero-emission vehicles through various frameworks, including £460 million dedicated funding for zero-emission buses this Parliament and £142 million announced in March to support almost 1,000 more zero-emission buses. Additionally, Innovate UK has provided grants totalling £24.2 million for bus-related projects with a total cost of £52 million. The Government are working on the final decision regarding diesel buses and aim to provide certainty for manufacturers about the pathway to a fully zero-emission fleet.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.