Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve access to public transport in rural areas within (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the Government will pass the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in South Holland and Deepings, Lincolnshire and rural areas right across England.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. Lincolnshire County Council has been allocated £11.8 million.