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Scheduled Event - Thursday 26th February - Add to calendar
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Lords - Oral questions - Main Chamber
Consultation with the fire and rescue services in England regarding clean energy projects such as battery storage plants
MP: Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Changing Weather Patterns and Floods

"My Lords, the Minister will be aware that there is an issue with storing water on farmland as it breaches the de minimis rule of the Reservoirs Act 1975. When does she plan to revisit that Act? Will she learn from Pickering’s Slowing the Flow and the work in Hull …..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Changing Weather Patterns and Floods
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Animal Welfare Strategy: Rural Communities

"My Lords, has the Minister considered the future of foxhounds if trail hunting is to be banned? This a very real concern of those who live in the countryside...."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Animal Welfare Strategy: Rural Communities
Speech in Grand Committee - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Environment Agency: Waste Crime

"My Lords, I congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Sheehan, the chair of the environment committee, on securing this timely debate and raising the issue in Committee this afternoon. I have only recently joined her committee, but I am delighted to join such an excellent scheme under her skilful leadership. On …..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Environment Agency: Waste Crime
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 11 Feb 2026
Electric Vehicles: Transition

"My Lords, the Minister will be aware that there is resistance among those living in rural communities to switching from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles. What was the rationale behind introducing pay per mile? What assessment has been made of the impact that it will have in rural …..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Electric Vehicles: Transition
Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 11 Feb 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

"My Lords, I shall speak to Amendment 218. I look forward to hearing the noble Lord, Lord Pack, and others speaking to Amendments 219 and 220.

In responding on an earlier group, the Minister referred to the number of civil parishes in Cumbria. I would like to place on the …..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 11 Feb 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

"..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 11 Feb 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

"My Lords, I am grateful to everyone who has spoken in this short debate. I do not know which slippery slope my noble friend Lord Jamieson was referring to, but he did not address the issue raised by me and the noble Lord, Lord Pack. If it is good enough …..."
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering - View Speech

View all Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Division Vote (Lords)
10 Feb 2026 - Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill - View Vote Context
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 166 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 186 Noes - 251
Written Question
Hospitality Industry: Rural Areas
Tuesday 10th February 2026

Asked by: Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are giving to hospitality businesses in rural areas by improving access for young people to travel to work in pubs and hotels.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government knows how important affordable and reliable public transport services are in ensuring access to employment opportunities and keeping communities connected, including for hospitality businesses in rural areas. We know that bus services can often be the only means of accessing work and leisure opportunities in rural areas, where alternative modes of transport are limited.

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, including tackling the unique challenges faced by rural areas.

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. 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. This could also include improving links between rural villages and nearby towns and enhance services that help young people travel to work in the hospitality sector.

The formula used to calculate LABG allocations for 2026/27 onwards includes consideration of the rurality of local areas for the first time, in addition to population size, levels of deprivation, and the extent of existing bus services.

The Government also intends to publish its integrated national transport strategy soon to set the long-term vision for domestic transport across England. It will focus on creating a transport network that works well for people, including those in rural areas.