Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Gareth Davies Excerpts
Monday 18th May 2020

(3 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robbie Moore Portrait Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)
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What fiscal steps he is taking to improve local transport infrastructure.

Gareth Davies Portrait Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stamford) (Con)
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What fiscal steps he is taking to improve local transport infrastructure.

Steve Barclay Portrait The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Steve Barclay) [V]
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My hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Robbie Moore) has, I know, been working hard to highlight the important pedestrian crossing issues in his constituency, and I am committed to working with him on that. He can benefit from the significant funding for cycling and walking included in the £2 billion announced recently.

Steve Barclay Portrait Steve Barclay
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I am happy to continue to liaise with my hon. Friend on this important issue. He will know that, in addition to the £2 billion for walking and cycling, we also announced at the Budget £4.2 billion for long-term local transport. His authority, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will be able to benefit from that.

Gareth Davies Portrait Gareth Davies
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I thank the Treasury team for their leadership throughout this crisis. As they look at ways to stimulate our economy, will they consider issuing a UK green gilt as a specific way to fund local transport infrastructure and to affirm this Government’s commitment to climate change?

Steve Barclay Portrait Steve Barclay
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. Although at present we have no plans to do as he suggests, he will be well aware, from the green finance strategy, that the Government remain open to the introduction of new debt instruments, and I am happy to continue to discuss the issue with him.