Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Dan Jarvis

Monday 8th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

I point out that, of course, they will be five years older, but I again stress to the House that no decision has been made on the landing platform dock vessels.

[Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)]

Let me take the Minister back to the Triples. There has been some debate about the extent to which the Triples were paid directly by UK forces. I know that that was the case. Does the Minister accept that and, if he does, does he not think they should be looked at under category 2 rather than category 4 of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Dan Jarvis

Thursday 11th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab) [V]]

  [R] Here in south Yorkshire, we are providing free community transport to vaccination sites for those who need it. We are doing what we can, but covid has pushed our underfunded bus network to the brink. The national bus strategy is an opportunity to make meaningful change, so can I ask the Secretary of State to reassure me that Mayors and local authorities will be given the powers and the resources needed to improve our bus services?

[Grant Shapps]

I know from our many conversations of the hon. Gentleman’s enthusiasm to get greater control of bus services in his area. I can reassure him, exactly as he has just asked, that not only is that our intention, but—and this will interest other Members of the House who have asked about it today—he will not have to wait very long at all for the bus strategy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Grant Shapps and Dan Jarvis

Thursday 17th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Grant Shapps]

Good news for the hon. Member: this Government have committed to putting a record amount into bus investment. As he will know, 4,000 shiny new zero-carbon buses are part of that plan, as is a massive investment—a bus, cycling and walking package of £5 billion—in ensuring that bus routes can be expanded. We are certainly on the side of him and his constituents when it comes to expanding those bus services, notwithstanding the significant challenges of covid.

[Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)]

When he plans to publish the national bus strategy. [R]

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Grant Shapps)]

The Government remain committed to a national bus strategy and aim to publish it by the end of the year.

[Dan Jarvis [V]]

Covid is creating huge challenges for our bus network, and if we are serious about improving services after the pandemic, we need a commitment to long-term investment from all tiers of government. In South Yorkshire, we have produced an improvement plan for our buses, but we need support. So I ask the Secretary of State: when will we see more investment from Government for the sustainable, affordable and accessible bus service that we all want?

[Grant Shapps]

I think that the hon. Gentleman is referring to his bus review report, which I have read. It is very impressive. We share the ambition to do much of what he has just said. The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has received a £1.127 million grant, as he will know, and the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority has been allocated £703,614. We are putting our money where our mouth is. We will publish our national bus strategy, and I think he will find that it complements the bus review report that he is behind.