Oral Answers to Questions

Sadik Al-Hassan Excerpts

Tuesday 8th April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Torsten Bell]

My hon. Friend consistently asks good questions that go to the heart of the matter. If I look back over the past 14 years, I see that British business investment has been the lowest in the G7 year after year. We are going to put that right.

[Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset) (Lab)]

8. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase economic growth through new transport infrastructure.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Darren Jones)]

The growth mission is the central mission of this Government. At the Budget, we delivered a £1.1 billion cash increase to the transport budget for 2025-26 compared with 2024-25, representing a 1.5% real-terms increase. We will set out further spending plans for transport in June.

[Sadik Al-Hassan]

What value does my right hon. Friend expect that the recently announced and much-anticipated Portishead and Pill railway line will add to the local economy of my constituency of North Somerset?

[Darren Jones]

First, I congratulate my hon. Friend on his campaigning on this issue. As I represent the neighbouring constituency, I declare that the project may have some indirect benefit for my constituents. I can confirm to the House that the project supports regional and national strategic objectives. The West of England is the most productive city region outside of London, and it is set to continue to grow. An efficient and reliable rail link between Bristol and Portishead will support a range of large and small sites for housing and employment across the region, halving journey times and opening a wide range of job and leisure opportunities for the residents of North Somerset.