Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Rob Butler Excerpts
Thursday 27th February 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Chris Loder Portrait Chris Loder (West Dorset) (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

16. What steps his Department is taking to ensure value for money in infrastructure investment.

Rob Butler Portrait Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)
- Hansard - -

18. What steps his Department is taking to ensure value for money in infrastructure investment.

--- Later in debate ---
Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for his election and, as the whole House is aware, for going above and beyond the call of duty in ensuring that his constituents could use train services during the recent strikes. As I say, we are investing an additional £100 billion in infrastructure, and we are seeking to ensure that we prioritise the right projects, taking a whole-network and whole-life-value approach. His representations have been well made, and they are being listened to.

Rob Butler Portrait Rob Butler
- Hansard - -

Now that HS2 has been approved, how will my right hon. Friend ensure, if necessary working with Ministers from other Departments, that costs are firmly controlled, so that all taxpayers nationwide, including in my constituency, through which this line unfortunately runs, can be confident that they have received value for money?

Penny Mordaunt Portrait Penny Mordaunt
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend makes a very valid point. Obviously, the DFT is leading on the delivery of HS2. The IPA will continue to work with the DFT to support the delivery of this initiative, through expert advice and challenge in independent assurance reviews. The recent review of and recommendations on HS2 are very focused on ensuring that costs are controlled and that there will be no further delays.