Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Navendu Mishra and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 17th March 2022 Commons Chamber

[Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab)]

3. What discussions he has had with (a) operator and (b) trade union representatives on bus driver shortages.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Andrew Stephenson)]

My Department continues to work with trade representatives and operators to understand and mitigate the extent, impacts and reasons behind driver shortages.

[Navendu Mishra]

Happy St Patrick’s Day, Mr Speaker. During the pandemic, bus drivers kept vital lifeline services going at huge risk to their health. Many now face reduced pay and conditions and disgraceful fire and rehire tactics employed by disreputable bosses, so they are understandably leaving the industry in droves. What steps are the Government taking to improve the pay and conditions of bus drivers, to encourage people to take up jobs in the sector, and to solve the current shortage?

[Andrew Stephenson]

I join the hon. Gentleman in paying tribute to bus drivers, who worked throughout the pandemic. The Government supported the work of local bus services with £1.7 billion of funding throughout the period. We do not intervene, however, on the levels of remuneration in private businesses, with the exception of setting rates for the national minimum wage and the national living wage.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Navendu Mishra and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 29th April 2021 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson]

As the hon. Gentleman will know, this Government are committed to delivering the West Wales Parkway station—indeed, it was in the 2019 Conservative manifesto. We continue to work with all local partners to deliver this. It is currently being progressed to outline business case stage using regional funding.

[Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to improve accessibility for people with physical and hidden disabilities who use the rail network.