Asked by: Alex Mayer (Labour - Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled On track and online: landmark deal to end mobile dead zones, published on 26 June, if she will list the locations of the 57 tunnels due to receive improved coverage in Project Reach.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The list of tunnels is shown below. Please note the exact timings are subject to commercial discussions with Mobile Network Operators:
| Tunnel | Region | Route |
| MONUMENT LANE TUNNEL | North West & Central | Central |
| BEECHWOOD TUNNEL | North West & Central | Central |
| NEW STREET NORTH WESTERN LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | Central |
| NEW STREET MIDLAND LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | Central |
| POTTERS BAR EAST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| POTTERS BAR WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| WELWYN NORTH TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| PEASCLIFFE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| STOKE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| WOOD GREEN CENTRE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| WOOD GREEN EAST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| WOOD GREEN WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| BARNET WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| BARNET EAST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| BARNET CENTRE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| COPENHAGEN CENTRE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| COPENHAGEN WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| GASWORKS CENTRE TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| GASWORKS WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| WELWYN SOUTH TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| HADLEY WOOD SOUTH EAST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| HADLEY WOOD SOUTH WEST TUNNEL | Eastern | East Coast |
| CLERKENWELL NO 1 | Eastern | Thameslink |
| LUDGATE TUNNEL | Southern | Kent |
| ARDSLEY TUNNEL | Eastern | North East |
| MACCLESFIELD TUNNEL | North West & Central | North West |
| FARNWORTH TUNNEL | North West & Central | North West |
| FARNWORTH TUNNEL | North West & Central | North West |
| PRESTBURY TUNNEL | North West & Central | North West |
| NEWPORT NEW TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Wales |
| NEWPORT OLD TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Wales |
| KILSBY TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| WATFORD TUNNEL SLOW LINES | North West & Central | West Coast |
| WATFORD TUNNEL FAST LINES | North West & Central | West Coast |
| PRIMROSE HILL SLOW LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| PRIMROSE HILL FAST LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| SHUGBOROUGH TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| STOWE HILL TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| NORTHCHURCH FAST LINE TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| NORTHCHURCH UP SLOW TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| NORTHCHURCH DOWN SLOW TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| KENSAL GREEN FAST LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| KENSAL GREEN SLOW LINES TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| HARECASTLE NEW TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| LINSLADE UP SLOW TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| LINSLADE CENTRE BORE (UP FAST/DN SLOW) | North West & Central | West Coast |
| LINSLADE DOWN FAST TUNNEL | North West & Central | West Coast |
| SODBURY TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| PATCHWAY UP NEW TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| WHITEBALL TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| MARLEY TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| POLPERRO TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| TREVERIN TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| PARSONS TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| ALDERTON TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| WIVELISCOMBE TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
| BUCKSHEAD TUNNEL | Wales & Western | Western |
Asked by: Lord Framlingham (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they closed the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund; and what plans they have to ensure that there are enough trained tree surgeons and arborists to meet demand and to deal with the number of urban trees planted in the past 50 years.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises forestry skills as vital for achieving environmental targets, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting the economy through sustainable woodland management and green job creation. The Government is facing a very challenging wider fiscal context. This has meant that Defra has had to make difficult decisions about funding which has included not to continue with the Forestry and Arboriculture Training Fund in 2025/26. The Forestry Commission is collecting feedback from course attendees and will be working with key stakeholders throughout 2025/26 to deliver the Forestry Sector Skills Plan. There are new technical, higher technical and professional education routes being developed into the forestry sector, and work is underway to improve links with allied sectors such as arboriculture, agriculture and horticulture.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to take steps to pause any ongoing or proposed sell-offs relating to postal services pending the outcome of the forthcoming government consultation on the future of postal services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years. This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.
The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what legal powers her Department holds to intervene in matters relating to the sale or transfer of assets within the postal service sector.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years. This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.
The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when her Department plans to launch the public consultation on the future of postal services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years. This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.
The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.
Asked by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent sell-offs relating to postal services.
Answered by Gareth Thomas
Post Office recently announced that it will be moving to a fully-franchised network. Transitioning to a franchise model will help in tackling the losses that directly managed branches incur on a sustainable basis, as this is expected to result in over £100 million of savings for the company over the next five years. This aligns with Post Office’s commitment to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, as the savings created by these changes will put Post Office in a better position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. This decision regarding the network, and decisions around the circumstances of each directly managed branch are operational matters for Post Office.
The Government’s Green Paper, due to be published later this year, will ask the public what they want to see from a modern Post Office network. The Green Paper is about a long-term vision for the Post Office, not about operational decisions related to individual branches.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff East)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Aberavon constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Aberavon. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 186,000 payments delivered in Aberavon through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic around 9000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £15 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £39 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Aberavon with around £10 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Aberavon has also received over £34,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities. In addition, Aberavon will benefit from the Celtic Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Celtic Freeport aims to attract significant inward investment, including £3.5 billion in green energy as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added by 2030.
In addition, Neath Port Talbot, the local authority for the Aberavon constituency, is receiving over £34 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Aberavon is also benefitting from the £235 million Swansea Bay City Deal including the newly opened £8 million Baglan Bay Technology Centre and the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH) facility.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Preseli Pembrokeshire. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 226,000 payments delivered in Preseli Pembrokeshire through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 11,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £32 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £66 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Preseli Pembrokeshire with around £1.7 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Preseli Pembrokeshire has also received over £26,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities. In addition, Preseli Pembrokeshire will benefit from the Celtic Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Celtic Freeport aims to attract significant inward investment including £3.5 billion in green energy as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added by 2030.
Alongside our March publication of Powering Up Britain, we have released the first tranche of the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund including support for the Trecwn Green Hydrogen Valley Project in Preseli Pembrokeshire. Additionally, funding from the UK Seafood Fund will boost the capability of fishers at Milford Haven to sustainably land, process and add value to produce for local, regional and international markets.
Pembrokeshire, the local authority for the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency, is receiving over £23 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Pembrokeshire is also receiving over £17 million from the Levelling Up Fund for the regeneration of Haverfordwest. Preseli Pembrokeshire is also benefitting from over £900,000 for four Community Ownership Fund projects. The constituency also benefits from the £235 million Swansea Bay City Deal, including the £25 million region-wide digital infrastructure programme.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour - Gower)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Ynys Môn constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Ynys Môn. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 210,000 payments delivered in Ynys Môn through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 9,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, over £26 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and around £50 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Ynys Môn with around £1.2 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Ynys Môn has also received around £73,000 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to level up local sports facilities. Ynys Môn will also benefit from the Anglesey Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Anglesey Freeport aims to attract £1.4 billion worth of investment in the green energy sector and create at least 3,500 jobs, generating half a billion in additional Gross Value Added by 2030. Our £20 million capital funding package will also support the renovation of the Victorian era breakwater at Port of Holyhead, securing passenger and trade flow through this crucial facility for the next 150 years.
In addition, Isle of Anglesey County Council, the local authority for the Ynys Mon constituency, is receiving over £16 million from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Anglesey is also receiving £17 million from the Levelling Up Fund to regenerate Holyhead town centre. Ynys Mon will also benefit from the £240 million North Wales Growth Deal.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.
Asked by: Jo Stevens (Labour - Cardiff East)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when a Minister from his Department last made an official visit to Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency.
Answered by David T C Davies
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I both live in Wales and serve Welsh constituencies. We have a consistent presence in Wales as we conduct many visits, events and meetings in Wales on a regular basis.
Details of Ministerial visits and meetings are published on the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales’ website and in Quarterly Ministerial Transparency Returns. In addition, visits and meetings conducted in support of the Wales Office priorities are published in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales Annual Report and Accounts.
The UK Government has provided extensive support to Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. A typical household in Wales has received almost £2000 in UK Government support to help with the cost of living. This includes around 230,000 payments delivered in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. During the Covid-19 pandemic over 12,000 jobs were supported through the furlough scheme, around £33 million was claimed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and over £90 million was given to businesses through government-backed business loans.
The UK Government has also supported innovation within Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire with around £36.6 million awarded by Innovate UK since April 2019. Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire will also benefit from the Celtic Freeport, backed by £26 million from UK Government. The Celtic Freeport aims to attract significant inward investment including £3.5 billion in green energy as well as the creation of 16,000 jobs, generating £900 million in Gross Value Added by 2030.
In addition, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, the local authorities for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency, are receiving over £38 million and over £23 million respectively, from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Carmarthenshire is also receiving over £36 million from the Levelling Up Fund to deliver the Tywi Valley active travel path, and new public service Hubs in Carmarthen and Pembroke. The constituency also benefits from the £235 million Swansea Bay City Deal, including £28 million invested in the Pembroke Dock Marine project.
This Government is investing in Wales like never before; over £790 million in four City and Regional Growth Deals covering the whole of Wales, £585 million for local authorities to invest through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, including over £100 million for the Multiply adult numeracy programme, £330 million in capital investment through the Levelling Up Fund and £3.2 million to preserve community assets through the Community Ownership Fund. Wales will benefit from two Freeports backed by £52 million, the British Business Bank’s new £130m Regional Investment Fund, and from Project Gigabit which will enable hard to reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit capable broadband.