Public Transport: Expansion and Electrification

Earl Attlee Excerpts

Monday 19th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. He is absolutely right. In the right setting, light rail systems can be a viable and attractive alternative to heavy rail or, indeed, more bus systems. I can tell him that several regions outside London with existing or planned mass-transit systems are receiving investment through the city region sustainable transport settlements programme. This funding is providing five-year local transport capital settlements over 2022-23 to 2026-27 to eligible mayoral combined authorities, which will include Coventry, for investment in public and sustainable transport infrastructure, including light rail.

[Earl Attlee (Con)]

My Lords, is it mathematically and physically possible to strengthen the UK’s electricity supply system in time to meet the UK’s net-zero target?

[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.