Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of rail infrastructure funding on future trends in the level of regional economic growth.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The growth mission is the central mission of this government. The impact of rail infrastructure investment on regional economic growth is a key consideration that is informing decisions for phase 2 of the Spending Review. The first phase of the Spending Review delivered a £1.1bn cash increase to the transport budget in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25 representing 1.5% real terms growth, delivering record spending.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her speech at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire on 29 January 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating additional funding to improve connectivity in Oxfordshire.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are already making considerable investment in transport infrastructure in Oxfordshire, including support for East West Rail and the acceleration of works on the Marston Vale Line to deliver services between Oxford and Bedford, as well as £10m in 25/26 to provide improvements to local bus services. In addition, Oxfordshire County Council received £33.5m of total highway maintenance allocations for the County for 2025/26.
Future transport spending is subject to Phase 2 of the SR and will be considered in the round through that process.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Food Production Relief Scheme to provide targeted relief on (a) energy costs and (b) business rates for essential food producers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government has a cast iron commitment to food production. We have committed £5 billion over this year and next to the farming and countryside programme which includes the largest ever amount for sustainable food production. We have also committed to deliver an ambitious food strategy which will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes for a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system.
In regards to business rates, the Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. We are accepting written submissions, which will inform policy development, to the transformingbusinessrates@hmtreasury.gov.uk mailbox until 31 March 2025.
Asked by: Charlie Maynard (Liberal Democrat - Witney)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support food manufacturing sites with (a) energy costs and (b) business rates.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government has a cast iron commitment to food production. We have committed £5 billion over this year and next to the farming and countryside programme which includes the largest ever amount for sustainable food production. We have also committed to deliver an ambitious food strategy which will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes for a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system.
In regards to business rates, the Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. We are accepting written submissions, which will inform policy development, to the transformingbusinessrates@hmtreasury.gov.uk mailbox until 31 March 2025.