Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Transport for the North on the preferred route for the Manchester to Leeds corridor of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Secretary of State has had regular discussions with Transport for the North about Northern Powerhouse Rail, most recently in September. The Secretary of State also has regular conversations with Northern Leaders in his role as the Northern Powerhouse Minister, including several in preparation for the next Northern Transport Acceleration Council meeting.
In the Integrated Rail Plan, the Department will set out how projects, including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, can be connected strategically to deliver the train services that people need and deserve, as effectively as possible. We are expecting the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment report shortly and the Integrated Rail Plan will follow once Ministers have considered this advice.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the potential effect of including Bradford on the Manchester to Leeds corridor of the Northern Powerhouse Rail route on (a) regional connectivity and (b) the regional economy.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Northern Powerhouse Rail aims to transform connectivity and economic growth. The assessment of proposals therefore includes their comparative connectivity and economic outcomes. Work to assess options is ongoing, including options serving Bradford. The Government is providing up to £500,000 funding to Bradford City Council to develop the city’s regeneration and development plans to support that work. We are currently awaiting the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment for the North and Midlands, which will inform the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in reference to his announcement of additional financial support for airports on 24 November 2020, if he will set out (a) how much each airport will receive and (b) when funding will be available from.
Answered by Robert Courts
On 24 November, the Government announced a financial support scheme to support eligible commercial airport and ground handling businesses by reducing cash burn and could unlock shareholder and lender support. This will provide support up to the equivalent of the site’s business rates liabilities in 2020/21 financial year, capped at up to £8m per eligible site, and subject to certain conditions. The scheme will open for applications in the new year, and we will be looking to make payments to successful applicants before the end of the financial year.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department spent on (a) opinion polling and (b) focus groups in each month since January 2019.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The information requested could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North, announced on 21 February 2020.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Integrated Rail Plan will be published by the end of the year. Government is committed to pressing ahead with HS2, NPR and related programmes.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish the assessment from the National Infrastructure Commission on the rail needs of the Midlands and the North, announced on 21 February 2020.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
As set out in the Terms of Reference, published on 21 February 2020, the Integrated Rail Plan will be published by the end of the year.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North, announced on 21 February 2020, will include an assessment of the proposed route for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Integrated Rail Plan will consider how best to integrate HS2 Phase 2b and wider transport plans in the North and Midlands, delivering benefits from investments more quickly. This will include a recommended way forward on scoping, phasing and sequencing delivery of HS2 Phase 2b, Northern Powerhouse Rail, Midlands Rail Hub and other proposed rail investments.
Asked by: Judith Cummins (Labour - Bradford South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to consult on the Integrated Rail Plan for the Midlands and the North, announced on 21 February 2020.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
I am committed to ensuring the North and Midlands are fully engaged and consulted throughout the Integrated Rail Plan process. I plan to undertake a series of roundtables and visits with Northern and Midlands leaders in the coming months as we begin to develop our ambitious Integrated Rail Plan.