"I hugely welcome the report and join in the thanks to all those who made it possible, but most fundamentally the families who shared their experiences and showed extraordinary courage through the whole process. Many of those stories were shared with us in the all-party parliamentary group on baby loss, …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"As we have this debate about budgets and the figures being spent on sport, one key question keeps leaping out. As has been said by colleagues, we know that sport and physical activity is one of the things that can best maintain good health and prevent ill health. However, when …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"One key to creating opportunities in places like Rossendale and Darwen is reindustrialisation—making more things in more places, and creating good jobs close to home. To make this real, we need economic policy that truly understands the particular constraints facing our small towns and rural communities. We need to be …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"As we look forward to the Railways Bill, it is worth reminding the House that Rossendale remains the only local authority area in the north without any sort of commuter rail link, despite being only 15 miles from central Manchester. The line exists; it just needs reinstating as a commuter …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"I thank everyone who has contributed. I was pleased that so many colleagues were able to cover areas that I was not able to address in my speech. I will not deal with every aspect, but it made me reflect that when we talk about growth, we sometimes default to …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"Absolutely, and I know that several colleagues here have been great champions of accessibility to rail links. It is absolutely fundamental.
On the lack of connection, Rossendale remains the only local authority in the north without a direct rail link, despite thousands of residents commuting into Manchester every week—it is …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"My hon. Friend makes a crucial point, and I will touch on this issue. Thinking of things as a whole, not as individual, isolated projects, is crucial for the transport systems that we actually need.
Rossendale has put forward its plan. Surveys show that the public overwhelming support it, because …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"The hon. Lady raises a range of complex points, which the Minister will probably deal with in detail. I do not agree with her about buses, because there is plenty of local flexibility to allow that. When it comes to the Green Book, it is the misuse of the financial …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"Thank you, Sir Roger. There will be an extensive section on buses—pages 75 to 300—so I am sure we will cover a lot of that sort of ground. Connectivity really matters for connecting communities. Ultimately, it is about how easily and affordably we can move through the place that we …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech
"That is a real inequity within regions now, and I will cover that in my conclusion. It is a fundamental that we have to address.
We must begin with empowering people to actively travel by walking, wheeling or cycling to work or school or to see friends. True connectivity is …..." Andy MacNae - View Speech