Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support combined authorities in closing any gaps in local bus provision.

The Government is committed to improving local bus services right across the country, including in combined authority areas. We have introduced the Bus Services Act 2025 to give local leaders the tools they need and empower them to choose the model that works best for their communities.

In addition, the Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority will be allocated £133.5 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £46.8 million they are already receiving this year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish, to deliver better services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability.

In addition to the LABG, the Government has also introduced a £3 million Bus Franchising Support Fund in 2026/27 for Mayoral Strategic Authorities that are in the process of developing and implementing bus franchising schemes, to provide targeted support to help their transition to a franchised bus model.