Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Vince Excerpts

Thursday 26th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab)]

5. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

[Chris Vince (Harlow) (Lab/Co-op)]

6. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

[Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)]

12. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Simon Lightwood]

We 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 local authority bus grant to improve services could be used for that kind of campaign, if those authorities feel that will help them to meet their bus service improvement plan objectives.

[Chris Vince]

After decades of failed bus deregulation under the Tories, I am pleased that this Labour Government truly understand the importance of delivering better bus services for millions of people. How will the Government support local leaders to take back control of their bus services, and how will that benefit my constituency of Harlow? I am thinking particularly of rural areas in my constituency, such as Roydon, Nazeing and Hatfield Broad Oak, where residents often talk about how a lack of connectivity causes issues of isolation and a lack of job prospects.

[Simon Lightwood]

The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill will put power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders. It is intended to ensure that bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them, including in rural areas. Leaders in places such as Harlow will be empowered to deliver reforms to their bus services. We will also be reforming bus funding, giving local leaders more control and more flexibility to deliver their local transport priorities.