Oral Answers to Questions

Liz Twist Excerpts

Thursday 8th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Matt Vickers (Stockton South) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to support bus services.

[Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)]

7. What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of trends in the number of bus services since 2019.

[Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate) (Con)]

12. What assessment he has made of the impact of the £2 fare cap on the number of bus journeys since that cap was introduced.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Harper]

I am confident that my hon. Friend will campaign in his area to protect those bus services. The additional £300 million includes £1.5 million for the Tees Valley, which will help local transport authorities and bus operators to protect and improve their services. We expect them to work together to deliver sustainable networks. I know he will campaign strongly to ensure that a share of that extra money from Government goes to protect services to his constituents.

[Liz Twist]

In January, I was glad to hear that Transport North East’s decarbonisation bid for our bus services had been successful. I now understand that subsidy control procedures mean that none of the electric buses have yet been ordered, let alone delivered, and I fear we may run out of time under the terms of the grant or get fewer buses for our money because of inflation. We need those electric buses in the north-east, so will the Secretary of State meet me to ensure we get them on the road as soon as possible?

[Mr Harper]

I am glad that the hon. Lady gives me an opportunity to remind the House that Transport North East has been awarded £19.5 million as part of round 2 of the levelling up fund, which delivers those buses. There are some appropriate checks that must take place, and I hope she will also welcome the fact that the North East and North of Tyne Combined Authorities got £117.8 million for their bus service improvement plans to deliver better bus services for her constituents.