Devolved Public Services: Funding
Debate between Lord Anderson of Swansea and Lord Katz
Lord Katz (Lab)
As I just said in answer to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas, we are absolutely committed to talking to the devolved Governments and we will convene the Council of the Nations and Regions on a case-by-case basis as needed. To be clear, this Government were elected on a mandate to protect the union, as previous UK Governments were, so we will refuse any request to go down any path that would break it up. We are clear about this and want to work with all types of structures to strengthen the union. On the second question that the noble Baroness got in at the end, I will not be tempted into talking about future funding promises without Treasury approval.
Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)
My Lords, we may receive more per head of population, but do the Government recognise that Wales is at or near the bottom of all the indices of deprivation in the UK? So what direct benefit, if any, will we receive from HS2?
Lord Katz (Lab)
I repeat what I said to the noble Lord, Lord Wigley: we are investing a huge amount of money—£14 billion—in the future of Welsh rail. Also, creating more capacity on the west coast main line will in the long term provide great benefits to north Wales through the extension of the main line that already goes up through the west coast main line and serves north Wales.
Public Transport: Expansion and Electrification
Debate between Lord Anderson of Swansea and Lord Katz
Lord Katz (Lab)
I thank the noble Earl for the question. Of course, we are aware that it is important to develop greater electricity supply and infrastructure. We are confident that we can work with our partners—on transport with Network Rail and more widely with National Grid—to develop the sort of capacity of which he speaks, to develop the diesel-free, carbon-free future we are talking about.
Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)
My noble friend will recall that, despite clear undertakings, the last Conservative Government axed the proposed electrification of the Cardiff to Swansea line. Is there any prospect of that now being reconsidered?
Lord Katz (Lab)
I am pleased to say that rail is already the greenest form of transport, but more is indeed needed to meet our contribution to achieving net zero by 2050. For instance, 9% of all passenger miles are covered by electric vehicles, so it accounts for only 1% of transport emissions across the sector. We are investing in electrification, particularly on the trans-Pennine route upgrade—to electrify and upgrade the main arterial route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. I cannot give my noble friend any commitments today, obviously, on extending the great western main line electrification, but we are working to identify other opportunities for further electrification in light of the spending view.