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Written Question
East Midlands Rail Franchise: Catering
Monday 9th September 2019

Asked by: Laura Smith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with representatives from Abellio on Rail Gourmet’s decision not to pay the Living Wage on the East Midlands franchise.

Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris

No discussion has occurred with Ministers. However, following a similar question from Grahame Morris, MP (and the response provided), officials have since raised this issue with East Midlands Railway.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 05 Sep 2019
HS2

"Given that the entire review will be completed in a matter of weeks, can the Secretary of State really have confidence that it will have thoroughly considered the impacts that scrapping or changing phases 2a and 2b would have on Crewe and Nantwich, as a significant centre of economic activity …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: HS2
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"Again...."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Stone (Sir William Cash). We disagree on almost everything, but I do sympathise massively with people’s concerns about their property and will always support them as their constituency MP.

This is a significant Bill of vital importance to our future …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"I personally believe that the hon. Gentleman needs to look at the benefits of HS2 for people in his constituency, such as the jobs that it will bring. I do not think that it is all doom and gloom for his constituents, and I will continue to speak positively about …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"My speech is all about the way in which HS2 will help to deal with these matters, but I will speed it up, Mr Deputy Speaker. My apologies.

I am not for one moment suggesting that HS2 will solve all these problems alone, but it can and must play an …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"Absolutely. The review is incredibly important. What does the review mean for places like Crewe? Crewe has the potential to build on the 360° connectivity it already has to become the key regional hub bridging the north and the midlands. The local enterprise partnership is working alongside Cheshire East Council …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"I absolutely agree. Constituents and businesses have come to me, as they have done to the hon. Lady, and we have dealt with them. I also agree with her new clause. I am not saying that what is happening is simple, and I have every sympathy for everybody affected, but …..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 15 Jul 2019
High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill

"Can we not start looking at this perhaps as broadband infrastructure and rail infrastructure? All these things in the right hon. Gentleman’s constituency and in mine would be a great benefit to us all. It should not really be either/or...."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Bill
Speech in Westminster Hall - Wed 05 Jun 2019
Transport: Cheshire

"I am sorry that I missed the start of the speech by my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Justin Madders). Does the Minister agree that the delivery of HS2 is essential for achieving that vision in the north and opening up that capacity?..."
Laura Smith - View Speech

View all Laura Smith (Lab - Crewe and Nantwich) contributions to the debate on: Transport: Cheshire