Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Danny Chambers Excerpts
Thursday 16th July 2026

(3 weeks, 6 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Keir Mather Portrait Keir Mather
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My hon. Friend is right to point to the fact that the EV industry depends on not only automotive manufacturers but the billions of pounds in the charge point sector and the workers who underpin it. Throughout our consideration of the ZEV mandate, we will ensure that our environmental obligations are met alongside making good business sense for all relevant partners in the sector.

Danny Chambers Portrait Dr Danny Chambers (Winchester) (LD)
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We very much welcome the Government’s initiative to give children free bus travel throughout the summer—it is a great idea. The only problem is that in Winchester and its surrounding area, Hampshire county council keeps cutting funding for bus services. Will the Minister explain what the Department is doing to encourage councils and operators to increase rather than decrease bus services?

Simon Lightwood Portrait Simon Lightwood
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In addition to delivering £3 billion across the country—we have a new, formula-led way of doing that, rather than the competitive allocations of the previous Government—we have given local transport authorities increased powers to take back control of bus services, be that through enhanced partnerships, franchising or local authority-led bus companies.