Contributions
625 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesThe Bus Services (No. 2) Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, enabling them to choose the bus model that works best…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesI will not take any lectures from the Conservatives under whose watch we saw 300 million fewer bus miles. As I have explained to the hon. Gentleman in Committee and in various…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesWe will encourage operators and local authorities to work together to run their own regional campaigns to help boost bus usage. Funding provided to local authorities through the…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesAbsolutely, and that is why I was so proud to chair the first bus manufacturers expert panel in March. That is a year-long project with bus operators, bus manufacturers and mayors…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesI completely understand the challenges, particularly in rural areas. That is why the package of measures in the Bill to give local areas the powers that they need to take control…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesI will expect the hon. Gentleman to walk through the Lobby with the Government when our Bus Services (No. 2) Bill comes forward. It is exactly designed to take back control of our…26 Jun 2025HANSARDTrain Frequency: Sutton and CheamI am aware that another two of those trains are now in operation. The new managing director is aware that this is a challenge and we are already beginning to see progress.26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesThe hon. Member will be aware that the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill contains powers to ask local transport authorities to identify specific routes that are of social value and need.…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesI am delighted to hear that my hon. Friend’s constituents are benefiting from reduced fares, below the Government’s national £3 bus fare cap. I was pleased that we were able to…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesI appreciate my hon. Friend’s concerns about the recruitment of engineers. Although it is, of course, primarily bus operators’ responsibility to ensure that they meet their…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion for tabling amendments 34 to 37, but the Bill already enables the direct award of franchising contracts to local authority bus…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I simply do not feel that that is necessary. The way in which it is set out is clear enough. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East for tabling…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Members for Wimbledon, for North Norfolk and for Chesham and Amersham (Sarah Green) for tabling a series of amendments to the clause. Amendment 66 would ensure…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Amendment 39 is not necessary as this issue has already been addressed during debates on the Bill in the other place. At the time, my noble Friend the Minister for Rail made a…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)It is fine. I do not believe that the amendments are necessary.26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Subsections (5) and (6) of clause 14 were inserted by non-Government amendments in the Lords. This amendment seeks to remove those subsections. Clause 14(5) places a statutory…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)Amendment 54 seeks to establish a process for local transport authorities to implement a socially necessary service where no operator has decided to do so. However, I believe it…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I beg to move amendment 6, in clause 14, page 10, line 27, leave out subsections (5) and (6). This amendment removes the requirement for the Secretary of State to carry out an…26 Jun 2025HANSARDBus Services (No. 2) Bill [ Lords ] (Third sitting)I think it is sad that the hon. Gentleman does not share my confidence in local areas being able to shape their services. I now turn to amendment 74, which is the final…26 Jun 2025HANSARDLocal Bus ServicesAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, places such as Greater Manchester are part of the group of authorities that have received £15.6 billion to spend in their local areas. It is…26 Jun 2025