Railways: East Coast Main Line
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Baroness Pidgeon
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My Lords, the short answer is yes, I do agree. The £4 billion public investment in the east coast main line infrastructure in trains had stalled. Although Network Rail writes the timetable, it lacked the authority to implement it. Requiring ministerial approval amounted to an excessive level of central control that GBR will remove. Encouragingly, public sector collaboration, free from contractual constraints, enables successful delivery. The result is a major uplift in services, supporting economic growth and increasing the availability of cheaper LNER tickets, thanks to more trains and seats.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, capacity on both the east and west coast main lines is stretched, which is why High Speed 2 will make such a difference when it opens. When will the Government publish the project reset, including the revised opening period and costs?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I cannot give the noble Baroness a specific answer, as I am sure she is probably aware, but we will communicate that as soon as we are able to.
Toilet-training: Support for Parents
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Baroness Pidgeon
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I wondered where the first Question would lead. Given the noble Baroness’s background, it should not come as a surprise that the environment is involved. This is an important issue, for the children involved and for parents, and the cost of nappies is important. But I am not in a position to give the commitment that she is asking for at this time.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, how are the Government ensuring that parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities receive tailored, specialist support for toilet-training, rather than being expected to rely on generic guidance that may not meet their child’s needs?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The noble Baroness raises an important question. Our plan for change is committed to the milestone that children at the end of reception, including those with SEND, have received a good level of development. Children with special needs are at the heart of our strategy. We need to make sure that the advice and support given through the hubs is bespoke, tailored to the specific needs of families and children.
Disruption at Heathrow
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Baroness Pidgeon(10 months ago)
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Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Blake of Leeds) (Lab)
It is the turn of the Lib Dems.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, as we have heard, Heathrow is an important hub airport, yet this incident has led to its complete closure, causing so much disruption. Will the Government now focus on the infrastructure in and around Heathrow, and indeed other airports, to improve resilience—which we have been discussing—security and the passenger experience, rather than simply advocating expanding Heathrow and other airports?
London Underground
Debate between Baroness Blake of Leeds and Baroness Pidgeon
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his supplementary question. As he is well aware, discussions are ongoing with Transport for London and all the regional authorities around the country about their long-term funding needs. This will be subject to the spending review, and we very much look forward to hearing the outcomes of that. I will of course be more than happy to continue the fruitful conversations with the noble Lord opposite.
Baroness Pidgeon (LD)
My Lords, although this announcement is welcome for the Piccadilly line, the Bakerloo line has the oldest trains. What discussions have the Government had with Transport for London, the GLA and the boroughs about new rolling stock and extending the Bakerloo line to Lewisham?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for what I think is her first question in this House. Her experience in the London Assembly will be very welcome in future debates. The Bakerloo line, the Central line and the Waterloo & City line are all matters under consideration and discussion with the mayor, and we look forward to the outcome of those discussions.