Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Neil Hudson Excerpts
Wednesday 29th March 2023

(1 year, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Lamont Portrait John Lamont
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The Welsh Government have actually received a significant uplift in their Barnett-based funding due to UK Government spending on HS2. I also point out that the UK Government have committed £2 billion for the period 2019 to 2024—more than double the £900 million invested between 2014 and 2019.

Neil Hudson Portrait Dr Neil Hudson (Penrith and The Border) (Con)
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It is fantastic to see you in the Chair for Scotland questions, Madam Deputy Speaker. I echo the comments from across the House congratulating the new First Minister on his election.

With regard to rail funding, cross-border rail links, such as extending the Borders railway down to Carlisle, are vital to people and businesses in the north of England and Scotland. Does my hon. Friend agree that implementation of the Union connectivity review recommendations is vital in that regard, and can he give an update on that?

John Lamont Portrait John Lamont
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I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his hard work with the other cross-border MPs, including me, to deliver the extension of the Borders railway to Hawick and Newcastleton and on to Carlisle. I was delighted to see the funding for the feasibility study in the borderlands growth deal, and we hope that work on it will be under way very soon.