Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Goodwill and Andrew Stephenson

Thursday 17th September 2020 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Stephenson]

The Government agreed a £1.6 billion funding package in May. But let us be clear that Transport for London’s finances were in trouble well before covid-19, with a projected deficit of £220 million last year and £422 million the year before. Many of the financial problems can be directly traced to poor decision making by the current Mayor of London.

[Mr Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support UK bus manufacturers in (a) Scarborough and Whitby constituency and (b) England.

[Andrew Stephenson]

We are committed to providing at least 4,000 British-built zero-emission buses through our £5 billion funding package for buses and cycling.

[Mr Goodwill]

If 2020 has been a tough year for bus and coach operators, it has been even worse for manufacturers such as Alexander Dennis Plaxton in Scarborough. We have heard on a number of occasions today of the £5 billion announced in February for 4,000 zero-emission British-built buses, but does the Minister agree with me that we need to get this money out of the door very quickly indeed if we are to avert a crisis on the production lines?

[Andrew Stephenson]

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question. I completely agree with what he says, and I commend him for what he has been doing to support manufacturers in his constituency. The Government have announced over £700 million in support for the bus and light rail sector already to date, and we are also providing £50 million for Britain’s first all-electric bus town and the £20 million rural mobility fund, which will support additional jobs. However, I agree with him, and I hope that we will make an announcement soon.